INEC headquarters in Abuja
An official from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the National Assembly to abandon a proposed bill that would mandate holding all major elections—presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives, governorship, and state assembly—on a single day.
Speaking anonymously to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday, July 31, 2025, the official warned that the reform could destabilize Nigeria’s electoral system.
The proposal, which has gained traction in recent months, is part of the Electoral Act 2025, which has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives. Advocates, including The Patriots—a group of prominent elder statesmen led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku—argue that conducting all elections simultaneously would reduce opportunities for vote-buying, streamline the process, and cut costs.
However, the INEC official questioned the feasibility and necessity of such a drastic change.
“The issue isn’t just whether INEC can manage it, but whether it’s practical and what it achieves,” the official stated.
“What’s wrong with the current system? Will a single day ensure better credibility or different results? Did lawmakers consult INEC before pushing this?”
The official emphasized that INEC’s constitutional authority to set election dates should not be undermined by the National Assembly. Currently, INEC conducts general elections in two phases: presidential and National Assembly elections first, followed by governorship and state assembly polls. This staggered approach, the official explained, is already logistically demanding.
“On election day, voting occurs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. across over 176,000 polling units in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” the official said.
“After voting, ballots are sorted, counted, and collated at ward, local government, and state levels. For presidential results, returning officers travel to Abuja to present results to the INEC Chairman, the only person authorized to announce them. This process is time-intensive.”
Adding governorship and state assembly elections to the same day, the official argued, could overwhelm the system.
“Logistics are already a challenge. Combining everything risks collapsing the process,” they cautioned, urging lawmakers to reconsider the proposal.
The debate over single-day elections continues to spark discussions, with proponents highlighting potential efficiencies and critics, like the INEC official, warning of unintended consequences. As the Electoral Act 2025 progresses, INEC’s perspective may shape the final outcome of this contentious reform.
