The House of Representatives has defended the slow progress on the Electoral Act amendment bill, stating that extensive consultations and legal reviews are necessary to ensure credible and workable reforms ahead of future elections.
Lawmakers said electoral legislation requires careful scrutiny because of its direct impact on democratic processes. According to committee members handling the bill, stakeholders including the electoral commission, civil society groups, political parties, and legal experts have submitted varying proposals that must be harmonised.
Critics have accused the National Assembly of deliberately stalling reforms that could improve transparency, reduce litigation, and address technological gaps in election management. However, House leaders insist the process is active and not abandoned.
Among the issues under consideration are electronic transmission of results, diaspora voting, party primaries regulation, and dispute resolution timelines. Legislators say disagreements over technical and constitutional implications have slowed consensus.
The House argues that rushed amendments could create legal loopholes that lead to confusion during elections. They maintain that durability and clarity of the law are more important than speed alone.
Political analysts say the pace of reform often becomes contentious because electoral rules shape the competitive environment for all parties. Trust in the process, they note, depends on visible commitment to fairness and transparency.
The House leadership has assured Nigerians that the bill remains a priority and will undergo further public hearings before final passage. Observers say the credibility of upcoming elections may depend significantly on how effectively these reforms are concluded.
