The House of Representatives is weighing a major electoral reform that could see all national and state elections conducted on the same day.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting with a delegation from the European Union (EU).
Under Nigeria’s current system, presidential and national assembly elections are held on one day, while governorship and state assembly polls are conducted two weeks later. Abbas said merging them into a single-day exercise would strengthen electoral credibility and improve voter turnout.
“We are considering constitutional amendments to make all national elections hold on the same day,” Abbas said. “This will enhance transparency, reduce costs, and boost participation.”
Wider Electoral Reforms in Motion
The Speaker noted that the ongoing constitutional review also includes proposals for:
Reserved seats for women and persons with disabilities
Financial autonomy and clearer roles for traditional rulers
Comprehensive electoral reforms to streamline Nigeria’s democratic process
He appealed to the EU to support the National Assembly with advocacy and publicity, stressing that state assemblies must also approve the amendments before they can take effect.
Previous Efforts Failed
The idea of same-day elections has been pushed in previous assemblies but failed to secure the required backing. Lawmakers are expected to vote on the fresh set of alteration bills later this month.
