The Senate has announced its intention to amend the Electoral Act to enable Nigerians living abroad to participate in the presidential elections in 2027.
The amendment will also make it mandatory for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit the results electronically from the polling units to the collation centers.
The Senate made this resolution at the end of its retreat in Ikot Ikpene, Akwa-Ibom state, where it discussed various issues affecting the nation’s security and economy.
The retreat was attended by President Bola Tinubu, who won the 2023 elections amid calls for diaspora enfranchisement and electronic transmission of results from the BVAS machine.
The Senate said it was necessary to unbundle INEC to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness in conducting elections. It also said it would impose sanctions on political parties that fail to submit their register of members 30 days before their primaries, congresses, or conventions.
The Senate also agreed to develop and enact a comprehensive national security strategy that would address the root causes of terrorism and banditry, promote community policing and engagement, and establish independent oversight mechanisms for the security sector.
The Senate said it would strengthen its legislative engagement and oversight in the security sector through comprehensive reforms. It also said it would engage regularly with the security chiefs for adequate briefing and involve the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the weekly security briefing that goes to the President.
Furthermore, the Senate proposed the enactment of an Emergency Economic Intervention Bill that would address critical socio-economic challenges facing the country. The bill would aim to stimulate growth, create jobs, and reduce poverty.
