Senate flags Ramadan clash in electoral act, reconsiders notice to INEC

The Senate has raised concerns that a key provision in the newly passed Electoral Act amendment could inadvertently schedule the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections during the Ramadan period.

In a motion presented by Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader, the chamber acknowledged that the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026 “was duly considered and passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives.”

Read also: Electoral Act: Senate reconsiders 360days election notice to INEC

However, lawmakers admitted that a fresh review of the legislation exposed a potential complication tied to the election timetable.

The Senate noted that “upon further critical review of the Bill as passed, it has been observed that the 360-days notice requirement prescribed in Clause 28 may result in the scheduling of the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections within the period of Ramadan.”

Read also: Empirical data guided our decision on electoral bill, Senate explains

The 360-day notice provision mandates the electoral body to issue election notices at least a year before polling, a timeline that could inadvertently shift the election date into a sensitive religious period.

Though no final decision has yet been announced on altering the clause, the concern signals an early move by lawmakers to avoid a possible clash that could affect participation and logistics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Details later….