Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights lawyer, Chief Femi Falana, has criticised the Senate for what he described as repeated delays in amending the Electoral Act, warning that the procrastination could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

Falana expressed concern that despite the House of Representatives passing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill in December 2025, the Senate has yet to act decisively on the proposed reforms.

The bill seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework by introducing electronic transmission of results, tougher penalties for vote-buying, voting rights for inmates, and sanctions against delegates who are financially induced to manipulate party primaries.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Sunday, Falana faulted the Senate’s decision to set up another committee to review the bill, describing the move as unnecessary and counterproductive.

According to him, the process appears designed to maintain the status quo rather than address urgent electoral challenges.“From the conduct of both chambers of the National Assembly, it is clear that they want the status quo retained.

This rigmarole is only meant to give Nigerians the impression that the Electoral Act is being addressed,” Falana said.

He accused lawmakers of focusing on amendments already covered by existing laws while neglecting the enforcement of critical provisions needed to improve election credibility.

Falana also lamented the failure to implement long-standing reforms, including the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission recommended as far back as 2008.

The senior lawyer stressed the importance of clearly codifying electronic accreditation and electronic transmission of results, noting that ambiguities in the law had contributed to controversies in previous elections.

“During the last election, Nigerians witnessed a national embarrassment where three leading presidential candidates claimed victory, and the election petition lasted 10 months.

Why should it take two years to put these provisions into law?” he asked.

Falana further decried what he called a culture of “reckless impunity” in the political space, arguing that while defections dominate political discourse, the National Assembly continues to sidestep pressing electoral reforms.

He concluded by urging Nigerians and civil society organisations to mobilise and pressure lawmakers to ensure the timely passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, warning that without public action, the bill may never be passed ahead of the 2027 polls.