The Nigerian Senate has proposed stricter punishments for vote buying and other electoral offences ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader, disclosed this in a statement on Monday as lawmakers resumed plenary for the year. He said the proposed measures are contained in the Electoral Bill 2025, which is currently under consideration by the National Assembly.
According to Bamidele, the bill recommends penalties ranging from a ₦5 million fine to two years’ imprisonment for individuals involved in vote buying, along with a 10-year ban from contesting elections. He added that stiffer sanctions, including mandatory jail terms and higher fines, are also proposed for offences such as falsification of results and obstruction of electoral officials.
He explained that the reforms are aimed at curbing impunity and strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The Senate Leader said the bill introduces electronically generated voter identification, including a downloadable voter card embedded with a unique QR code. He added that presiding officers would be required to electronically transmit polling unit results, including the total number of accredited voters.
Bamidele also noted that the proposed law seeks to standardise delegates for indirect party primaries to prevent party leaders from unilaterally determining delegate criteria.
He said committees on the Independent National Electoral Commission in both chambers of the National Assembly are expected to submit their reports for clause-by-clause consideration soon.
According to him, the electoral reforms are intended to ensure credible, transparent, and secure elections starting from the 2027 polls.
Bamidele added that lawmakers would also focus on key legislative priorities in the coming months, including consideration of the 2026 appropriation bill and ongoing constitutional review efforts.
