The Senate has reconstituted a 12-member Conference Committee on the Electoral Act amendment bill, appointing former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Bako Lalong, as chairman, in a renewed push to harmonise outstanding differences in the proposed electoral reforms.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced the development on Tuesday during an emergency plenary session, stating that the committee would engage its counterpart in the House of Representatives to reconcile discrepancies between the versions of the bill passed by both chambers.
The committee is mandated to examine areas of divergence, resolve contentious provisions and produce a harmonised draft for final consideration and adoption by the National Assembly.
Other members of the Senate delegation include Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Senator Tahir Monguno, among others.
The move forms part of wider legislative efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral legal framework ahead of future elections, including the 2027 general polls.
Lawmakers expressed optimism that the conference committee would address grey areas in the amendment bill and enhance transparency, credibility and operational efficiency in the conduct of elections nationwide.
Once agreed upon by both chambers, the harmonised version of the Electoral Act amendment bill will be transmitted for final legislative approval in line with established parliamentary procedures.
