Senate Passes Early Voting Bill for Second Reading, Senator Yar’adua Hails Progress
Jerry Adesewo
The air of satisfaction was palpable as Senator Yar’adua sauntered into his office after the session. Though he didn’t speak, it was evident that the proceedings had gone well. The bill, which aims to amend the Electoral Act No. 13 of 2022, proposes a framework for early voting, ensuring that eligible voters—such as INEC officials, security personnel, journalists, and election observers—can exercise their civic rights without hindrance.
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The Nigerian Senate passed the Early Voting Bill for second reading on Thursday, March 13, 2025, marking a significant step toward electoral reform. Sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua (Katsina Central), the bill seeks to address the disenfranchisement of millions of Nigerians who, due to their roles in election duties, are unable to vote on election day.
Presenting his lead debate, Senator Yar’adua highlighted the staggering number of Nigerians disenfranchised during elections. “Over 1 million ad-hoc staff, 310,973 police personnel, 93,495 military and DSS personnel, and thousands more from agencies like the NSCDC, FRSC, and EFCC are actively engaged in election activities but are unable to vote,” he stated.
He further noted that 144,800 observers deployed by 196 organizations, as well as journalists and other stakeholders, are also excluded from voting. “These figures make this bill a necessity,” Yar’adua emphasized. “The number of those excluded could change the outcomes of election results.”
The Senator cited examples from other African countries, such as South Africa, Namibia, Senegal, and Ghana, where early voting has been successfully implemented. He assured his colleagues that INEC possesses the expertise to incorporate early voting into Nigeria’s electoral process, with the Electoral Act providing sufficient legal mechanisms to address potential challenges.
“The introduction of early voting is not just about convenience,” Yar’adua argued. “It is about strengthening our democracy, improving voter participation, reducing electoral violence, and making elections more efficient and transparent.”
In an interview moments later, as he returned to his office, Senator Yar’adua elaborated on the motivation behind the bill. “From the First Republic to the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has never had an early voting system,” he said. “This bill seeks to enfranchise nearly 2 million Nigerians involved in election duties, as well as the disabled, elderly, and pregnant women.”
He shared his experience observing early voting in South Africa, where voters could register online for home voting, with electoral officials and party agents ensuring transparency. “This system increases voter turnout, which has been declining in Nigeria,” he noted. “In 2019, voter turnout was 34.7%, and in 2023, it dropped to 27.1%. Early voting can help reverse this trend.”
The passage of the Early Voting Bill for second reading marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s electoral history. If enacted, the bill could significantly enhance voter participation and inclusivity, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in the democratic process.
As Senator Yar’adua retreated into his office, exchanging pleasantries with waiting guests, it was clear that his vision for a more inclusive electoral system was one step closer to reality.