Hallowmace Foundation Slams Senate’s Electoral Act Amendments as ‘Betrayal of Democracy
Abuja (Core Reporters) Hallowmace Foundation Africa, a foremost organization dedicated to the advancement of democracy, good governance, and accountable legislation across the continent, issues this urgent statement in strong condemnation of the retrogressive provisions passed by the Nigerian Senate in the *Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Reenactment) Amendment Bill 2026.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by its Executive Director, Amb. Anderson Osiebe, and Amb. Oguh Hyginus John, Head, Public Communication Desk on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
According to the statement, The legislative actions taken by the Senate represent not a reform, but a deliberate and systemic dismantling of the critical guardrails established to protect the integrity, transparency, and credibility of Nigeria’s elections. This is nothing short of a rape of our nation’s democratic principles and an absolute infringement on the electoral rights and dignity of every Nigerian citizen.
“Our Condemnation Is Centered On The Following Egregious Reversals:
1. The Rejection of Mandatory Electronic Transmission of Results (Clause 60):* By refusing to mandate the real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results to the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), the Senate has chosen opacity over transparency. This decision consciously reverses a pivotal gain in our electoral process and opens the door for manipulation and opacity in the most critical phase of an election—the collation of results. It is an unacceptable abdication of the duty to ensure that every vote is seen, counted, and protected.
2. The Blocking of Technological Advancement in Voter Identification:* The Senate’s rejection of electronically generated voter identification and its insistence on the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as the sole mandatory form of identification, while upgrading to BVAS, is a contradictory move. It ignores the practical realities of PVC distribution and disenfranchises citizens while failing to leverage available technology for inclusivity and security.
3. Drastically Compressed and Unrealistic Election Timelines:* The reduction of the notice of election period from 360 to 180 days and the slashing of the timeline for publishing candidate lists from 150 to 60 days is a recipe for logistical chaos. These compressed timelines will inevitably disenfranchise voters, handicap political parties, and place an impossible burden on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), increasing the risk of errors, litigation, and a fundamentally flawed electoral process.
4. Weakening of Legal Accountability (Clause 142):* The removal of the clause that would have streamlined the process for proving electoral non-compliance in court is a brazen attempt to shield electoral malpractice from swift and effective legal challenge. Labelling it a “waste of time” reveals a shocking disregard for justice and electoral accountability.
5. Inadequate Penalties for Electoral Crimes:* The refusal to enact a stringent 10-year prison sentence for the buying and selling of PVCs, retaining instead a minimal two-year term with a slightly increased fine, demonstrates a lack of serious commitment to combating the monetization and corruption of the voter franchise.
A House Divided Against Democracy
“We note with grave concern the sharp and telling contrast between the Senate’s regressive position and the more progressive stance reportedly taken by the House of Representatives. This divergence highlights a troubling conflict at the heart of our legislature regarding the very future of Nigerian democracy.
Our Demand
Hallowmace Foundation Africa stands resolutely with the Nigerian people and all pro-democracy advocates in demanding:
“ That the National Assembly Conference Committee, in harmonizing the versions of the bill, must categorically reject the Senate’s retrogressive clauses.
“That the Committee must restore and strengthen the provisions for mandatory electronic transmission of results, realistic and inclusive election timelines, and stiffer penalties for electoral offences.
“ That the final amended Electoral Act must be a tool for empowering the people, ensuring transparency, and guaranteeing that every vote cast in the 2027 general elections and beyond truly counts.
“We call on civil society organizations, the media, the international community, and all well-meaning Nigerians to rise and condemn this legislative sabotage. We must hold our lawmakers accountable for actions that weaken the democracy they swore to uphold. The Senate’s vote on Wednesday the 4th day of February 2026 is a vote against the people’s will, and it must not stand.
“The fight for a credible electoral process in Nigeria is non-negotiable.”
