The House of Representatives has passed significant amendments to the Electoral Act to increase the penalties for electoral offenses and improve the efficiency of polls. Under the new provisions, individuals convicted of buying or selling votes or voter cards face at least two years in prison, a 5 million Naira fine, or both, as well as a 10-year prohibition from seeking public office. The lawmakers also introduced sanctions for presiding officers who intentionally violate rules regarding the counting and transmission of results, carrying a minimum fine of 500,000 Naira or six months’ imprisonment. To ensure better preparation for general elections, a new clause requires that funding be released to INEC at least one year in advance, while penalties for multiple voter registration were raised to a minimum of 100,000 Naira or a year in jail. Adebayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, noted that the House chose these specific amendments over a total repeal of the 2022 Act due to a lack of consensus on broader reform proposals.
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