The Senate of Nigeria has rejected a proposed 10-year custodial sentence for individuals who sell or trade Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and made amendments to electoral timelines in ongoing legislative work on the electoral bill, lawmakers confirmed in Abuja.
The action was taken during the upper chamber’s consideration of amendments to the Electoral Act as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
During plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio led senators in voting down the clause that had prescribed a 10-year jail term for anyone found guilty of trading or dealing in PVCs.
Lawmakers argued the penalty was too severe and may not be necessary to deter abuses related to the handling of voter cards. The Senate did not adopt that provision when finalising its version of the bill for further legislative processes.
In addition to rejecting the proposed prison term, the Senate also approved adjustments to electoral timelines within the bill.
These include new dates for the commencement of party primaries and submission timelines for candidates’ nomination forms ahead of the 2027 polls.
Lawmakers said the revisions are intended to align statutory deadlines with administrative and logistical considerations for election preparation.
The Senate’s decisions followed debates among senators representing different geopolitical zones, who weighed the need to strengthen voter protection provisions with respect for citizens’ rights and practical implications for election administration.
With the Senate’s version of the amended Electoral Act now concluded, the bill will proceed for harmonisation with the House of Representatives’ version before being forwarded to the President for assent.
The harmonisation process is a standard stage in the legislative workflow when both chambers of the National Assembly pass differing versions of a bill.
By rejecting the proposed custodial sentence for PVC trading, the Senate has opted for a position that focuses on proportionate penalties and clarity in electoral offences, lawmakers said.
Adjustments to timelines for primaries and nomination processes are expected to give political parties clearer direction as they plan mobilisation, candidate selection and compliance with statutory requirements.
The Senate’s amendments form part of broader efforts by the National Assembly to update Nigeria’s electoral legal framework ahead of the 2027 general elections, with lawmakers citing the need to balance electoral integrity, citizens’ rights and operational effectiveness.
The harmonised bill that emerges from committee work will be closely watched by stakeholders in political parties, civil society and electoral management.
