The House of Representatives has formally constituted a conference committee to work alongside its Senate counterpart to harmonise the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision is aimed at reconciling differences between the versions of the bill passed by both chambers, ensuring that the final legislation reflects a consensus necessary for credible elections.
The House initially passed its version of the Electoral Act on December 23, 2025.
The Senate, however, passed its amended version on February 4, 2026, with several significant changes that sparked the need for harmonisation.
One key adjustment made by the Senate was the reduction of the period for issuing the electoral timetable from 360 days to 180 days.
This change, according to analysts, could have implications for the preparedness of both political parties and electoral authorities.
Another major point of contention between the two chambers revolves around the electronic transmission of election results.
The House of Representatives had approved a system allowing results to be transmitted directly from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Results Viewing Portal (IREV) in real time, simultaneously with physical collation.
The Senate, however, rejected this proposal, opting instead to maintain the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act, which leaves the mode of result transmission to the discretion of INEC.
The divergence has made it imperative for the conference committee to deliberate carefully to produce a harmonised version that ensures transparency while addressing logistical concerns.
Speaking on the development, the House spokesperson, Akintunde Rotimi, explained that the formation of the conference committee was in accordance with legislative procedure.
He noted that the committee’s creation is “a standard step in the process of harmonising bills passed differently by both chambers of the National Assembly.”
Rotimi also revealed that the directive came through an internal correspondence dated February 4, 2026, signed by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, reflecting the decision of House leadership.
The committee is chaired by Adebayo Balogun, the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters representing the South West.
Other members include Fred Agbedi (South South), Sada Soli (North West), Ahmadu Jaha (North East), Iduma Igariwey Enwo (South East), Saidu Musa Abdullahi (North Central), and Zainab Gimba, representing women’s interests.
The team is tasked with negotiating with the Senate committee to ensure that a unified Electoral Act is ready for final passage by the National Assembly.
Rotimi emphasised that the committee’s mandate extends beyond reconciling minor differences.
“The committee is charged with conferring with its Senate counterpart to harmonise the differing provisions of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill as passed by both chambers,” he said.
“The aim is to ensure that the final law promotes transparency, credibility, and confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.”
Experts note that harmonising the Electoral Act is crucial as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections.
With a growing demand from civil society groups and the public for transparent electoral processes, provisions like real-time electronic result transmission have become key areas of debate.
The House’s insistence on these measures reflects a broader commitment to electoral reforms that could reduce disputes and delays in declaring election outcomes.
The Senate’s reservations, on the other hand, highlight the challenges of implementing technological reforms in a country with complex logistical and infrastructural realities.
By requiring that the mode of transmission remain at INEC’s discretion, the Senate seeks to balance innovation with feasibility, ensuring that any system adopted is practical and reliable across the country’s diverse regions.
The conference committee will therefore play a pivotal role in mediating these positions, reconciling innovative proposals with pragmatic considerations.
Analysts suggest that the committee’s work will set the tone for how Nigeria’s elections are conducted in 2027, particularly in terms of the speed and accuracy of result collation and announcement.
The leadership of the House of Representatives has reiterated its commitment to advancing electoral reforms.
“The House remains dedicated to ensuring that every provision of the Electoral Act contributes to a credible, transparent, and inclusive electoral process,” Rotimi added.
“Our focus is on strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy through legislative action.”
As the National Assembly moves toward harmonisation, stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organisations, and the general public, will be closely watching the outcome.
The harmonised Electoral Act is expected to address long-standing issues related to election timelines, result collation, and the use of technology, all while providing clear guidance for INEC to conduct free, fair, and credible elections.
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