A bill to amend the Electoral Act No. 13, 2022, to allow for early voting in elections, has passed its second reading in the Nigerian Senate.

Sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua (APC-Katsina), the bill aims to enfranchise Nigerians who are unable to vote due to the nature of their duties on election days.

Leading the debate, Senator Yar’adua emphasised that the bill would correct the disenfranchisement of key election workers, ensuring their democratic right to vote.

“In any democracy, equal opportunity must be given to all citizens to participate in elections, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, occupation, or socioeconomic status,” he stated.

He pointed out that over one million Nigerians involved in conducting elections—including INEC officials, ad hoc staff, security personnel, journalists, and election observers—are effectively denied their right to vote because they are deployed far from their registered polling units.

“This is an irony that should not be lost on us, and this bill seeks to correct that by making provisions for early voting for such citizens,” he added.

Senator Yar’adua argued that the exclusion of these voters could significantly impact election outcomes.

“This bill is necessary to address the disenfranchisement of eligible voters. As lawmakers, it is our duty to ensure that every Nigerian citizen, regardless of their profession on election day, has the opportunity to participate fully in the electoral process.”

He also noted that early voting would bring Nigeria’s electoral system in line with international best practices and further strengthen universal adult suffrage.

Several senators voiced strong support for the bill, including Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC-Ondo), who described the exclusion of election workers from voting as harmful to democracy.

Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, emphasised that unbundling election-day voting arrangements would enhance efficiency.

Presiding over the plenary, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters for further review. The committee is expected to report back in four weeks.

If passed into law, early voting could mark a major reform in Nigeria’s electoral process, ensuring that those who safeguard the integrity of elections are no longer excluded from participating.