The senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, said the National Assembly has suggested stricter penalties for vote buying and other electoral offenses ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement made on Monday to celebrate the resumption of plenary by the 10th National Parliament, the Senate leader stated that the recommendations are included in the electoral bill, 2025, which is now being considered by the legislature.

“With respect to vote buying, the sanctions range from a fine of N5 million to a two-year imprisonment and a 10-year ban from contesting elections,” the statement reads.

He stated that the measure also calls for mandatory jail time and increased fines for offenses such as result fabrication and obstruction of election authorities.

Bamidele stated that the laws are intended to eliminate impunity and improve the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.

He stated that the proposed law requires electronically created voter identity, such as a downloadable voter card with a unique QR code.

He noted that the bill requires presiding officers to electronically communicate polling unit results, including the total number of accredited voters.

Bamidele said the legislation also standardizes delegates for indirect primaries to prevent party leaders from arbitrarily selecting delegate qualifications.

He stated that committees of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in both chambers would shortly submit their reports for clause-by-clause review.

Bamidele stated that the measures are meant to provide credible, transparent, and safe elections beginning in 2027.

The senate leader stated that the coming 16 months would be as rigorous as the previous term, with a renewed emphasis on election changes and government restructuring.

He stated that lawmakers will give adequate time to the consideration of the 2026 appropriation bill presented by President Bola Tinubu before a joint session of the National Assembly on December 18, 2025.

“The proposal is crucial to the growth, prosperity, and stability of our economy this year and beyond,” he said.

He stated that the budget is intended to strengthen macroeconomic stability, boost global competitiveness, and transform growth into more jobs and higher living standards.

Bamidele said the passing of the 2025 tax reform act has rebalanced Nigeria’s fiscal space by lowering the tax burden on low-income earners while increasing responsibilities on high-income earners.

“With the reforms of our fiscal space, we believe funding our budget will no longer be a challenge, and our budget deficit will begin to shrink year by year,” he said.

He stated that the Senate is also emphasizing changes to ensure credible and transparent elections in 2027.
Bamidele stated that the review of the 1999 Constitution has progressed, with technical sessions and public hearings completed.

He stated that Barau Jibrin, deputy Senate president and chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, would shortly give the findings to the Senate.

Bamidele stated that the last stage of the procedure would require approval from at least two-thirds of state houses of assembly, as required by the constitution.

“These are brief highlights of what lies ahead of us in the coming weeks,” he said.

“At the end of it all, good governance, enhanced security, and the welfare of our constituents shall remain our cardinal objectives.”