The Senate has proposed stiffer penalties for vote buying and other electoral offences as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday to mark the resumption of plenary by the 10th National Assembly.
According to Bamidele, the proposed measures are contained in the Electoral Bill, 2025, which is currently under consideration by the National Assembly.
He said the bill seeks to address persistent challenges undermining the credibility of elections, particularly vote buying and related electoral malpractices, which have continued to pose serious threats to democratic governance.
The Senate Leader noted that the proposed amendments reflect the legislature’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework and ensuring that elections are conducted in a transparent, credible and accountable manner.
He added that the National Assembly remains focused on enacting reforms that will safeguard the integrity of the ballot and restore public confidence in the electoral process ahead of the next general elections.
