Electoral act amendment moves to second reading

The proposed amendments include diaspora voting, electronic transmission of results, and tighter primary-election timelines. Civil-society groups have welcomed the diaspora clause but raised concerns about implementation funding.

The Senate spent 4 hours debating the bill before voting 78–11 to advance it. Several senators speaking on behalf of the diaspora caucus highlighted the symbolic weight of finally enfranchising Nigerians abroad — estimated at 17 million.

The committee on INEC has 21 days to report. Civil society groups including Yiaga Africa and Civil Liberties Coalition have called for a 2-day public hearing to allow citizen input on the implementation funding question.