The Senate on Thursday passed for the second reading a Bill to amend the Electoral Act to provide an opportunity for Nigerians on essential duties to exercise their civic rights through early voting.

The Bill, sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, seeks to amend the Electoral Act and is titled the “Electoral Act (Amendment – Early Voting Bill) 2024.”

Leading the debate, Senator Yar’adua stated that the Bill aims to enfranchise a significant group of Nigerians who, due to their duties on election days, are denied their fundamental democratic right—the right to vote.

He explained: “This important Bill seeks to introduce early voting into the Electoral Act 2022 to enhance inclusion, participation, and the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process. It was first read on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, given the far-reaching nature of this Bill, could you let me highlight its background? This will provide context for this legislative initiative and encourage this chamber to accelerate its passage.”

The lawmaker emphasised that, in any democracy, all citizens must have equal opportunity to participate in elections, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, occupation, or socioeconomic status.

“A huge number of Nigerians who contribute to making elections successful are excluded from the crucial decision-making process of choosing their leaders through the ballot,” he said.

Over one million citizens who play key roles in election administration are currently disenfranchised, including: “INEC officials and ad-hoc staff, Security personnel (Police, Military, DSS, NSCDC, FRSC, NCoS, NDLEA, EFCC, etc.), Journalists, election observers, and other essential workers.

“These individuals are deployed to polling units far from where they registered, making voting impossible. This irony must be corrected through the provision of early voting.”

He added that the issue worsened during the 2023 General Elections: “Over 1 million INEC ad-hoc staff were engaged in election duties. 310,973 police officers and 93,495 military and DSS personnel were deployed. More than 144,800 election observers were assigned across polling stations.”

The Bill proposes the following measures: “Eligibility & Registration: Security personnel, electoral officials, and other essential workers must apply 30 days before early voting day. Political parties will receive a list of early voters for transparency. Voting Procedure: A designated early voting date will be set at least seven days before the general election. Special early voting centres will be established in each ward, and votes will be counted on the official election day.”

Senator Yar’adua noted that early voting has been successfully implemented in other nations: “United States: Some states allow early voting up to 45 days before election day. “Australia: Early voting begins 2-3 weeks before elections, with 40% of voters casting ballots early in 2019.

“Canada & Germany: Flexible early voting mechanisms allow citizens to vote before election day.

“Across Africa, early voting has helped increase voter turnout and electoral efficiency:

“South Africa: Early voting is permitted two days before elections for security personnel, the elderly, pregnant women, and election workers.

“Ghana: Security personnel and other eligible voters cast their ballots four days before elections.

“Namibia & Senegal: Election officials, diplomats, and other essential workers can vote in advance.

The lawmaker highlighted that Nigeria’s voter turnout has steadily declined: 2015: 43.7% voter participation, 2019: 34.7%, 2023: 27.1%. In contrast, nations that have adopted early voting have witnessed higher voter turnout: Ghana (2020) – 79% turnout, Sierra Leone (2018) – 84% turnout, Liberia (2017) – 75% turnout, Senegal (2019) – 66.23% turnout.

“Introducing early voting will enhance voter turnout, inclusivity, and electoral efficiency in Nigeria,” he said.

Senator Yar’adua acknowledged potential concerns about security, logistics, and costs but assured that these challenges could be effectively managed.

“The lessons learned from countries that have implemented early voting show that these issues can be addressed with proper planning. Moreover, the long-term benefits of an inclusive, flexible, and modernised voting system far outweigh the initial implementation costs,” he said.

The Bill received overwhelming support from lawmakers. When subjected to a voice vote, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, declared its passage for second reading.

“By passing this Bill, we will take a significant step toward a more inclusive and representative electoral system that serves all Nigerians,” Yar’adua concluded.