AdvoKC Slams Senate Over Electoral Act Amendment, Warns 2027 Polls At Risk

The AdvoKC Foundation has strongly condemned the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, describing it as a “profound disappointment” and a betrayal of public trust, while urging members of the Conference Committee to reject what it called regressive provisions during harmonisation.
In a statement signed by its Communications Manager, Luqman Adamu, the civic organisation accused the Akpabio-led Senate of prioritising political convenience over electoral credibility at a time Nigerians expected meaningful reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Adamu, instead of addressing shortcomings exposed during the 2023 polls, the Senate “recycled and reinforced the same weaknesses that damaged confidence in our democracy.”
“This amendment does not move Nigeria forward. It drags the electoral process backwards and shields it from scrutiny,” the statement read.
AdvoKC expressed particular concern over the rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results, arguing that making transparency discretionary could reopen the door to the controversies that trailed the last general elections.
“When transparency is optional, fraud remains possible. A reform that walks away from certainty is not reform at all. It is a step backwards,” the group said, referencing the “technical glitches” that marred the 2023 electoral process.
The organisation also criticised the reduction of the Notice of Election period from 360 days to 180 days, warning that shorter timelines could result in rushed preparations, logistical failures, and voter disenfranchisement.
“Nigerians have lived through this chaos before. Choosing it again is deliberate regression,” Adamu stated.
On vote buying, AdvoKC faulted the Senate for weakening penalties, arguing that a ?5 million fine in an electoral system “awash with billions of naira” would serve more as a fee than a deterrent.
“By lowering the cost of electoral malpractice, the 10th Senate has normalised it and placed democracy on sale,” the statement added.
The group further decried the removal of Clause 142, which it said would have simplified the presentation of evidence in election petitions. It maintained that the move preserves an outdated system that relies heavily on oral testimony instead of clear documentary proof, thereby making it more difficult for citizens to challenge non-compliance.
“This strengthens impunity and weakens accountability,” Adamu said.
AdvoKC warned that if the bill is passed in its current form, the credibility of the 2027 elections could be compromised even before voting begins.
The foundation called on members of the Conference Committee to reject the Senate’s version of the amendment during harmonisation with the House of Representatives, insisting that Nigeria needs substantive reforms that protect votes, enforce accountability, and restore public trust.
“To Nigerians, this vote matters. Your representatives in the Senate have chosen to keep the system vulnerable, discretionary, and easy to manipulate,” the statement concluded. “Pass an Electoral Act that serves the people, or stop wasting public funds on legislation that changes nothing.”