2026 Electoral Act Changes Must Wait Until After 2027 Elections – Bamidele

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has declared that the 2026 Electoral Act should not be amended before the 2027 general elections, insisting that any review of the legislation must wait until the electoral process has been completed.

According to Ireporter Online, the lawmaker made the position known during an interview in which he addressed issues concerning the 10th National Assembly and other key national matters. He argued that introducing changes to the electoral law only months before a major election could deepen public distrust and create unnecessary uncertainty within the political landscape.

Bamidele, who represents Ekiti State, disclosed that several lawmakers had proposed fresh amendments to the Electoral Act following recent judicial decisions affecting election guidelines. However, he maintained that he refused to back such proposals, stressing that altering the legal framework so close to a general election would be inappropriate.

He noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is already under significant pressure from political parties and other stakeholders preparing for the 2027 polls, adding that introducing legislative changes at this stage could further complicate the electoral process.

The Senate Leader also reflected on public discussions surrounding the Electoral Act, including analyses by former Resident Electoral Commissioner Mike Ighini, acknowledging that while some concerns raised were valid, others failed to fully appreciate the legislative intent behind certain provisions of the law.

Emphasising the principle of separation of powers, Bamidele explained that the legislature is responsible for making laws, the President determines whether to assent to them, and the judiciary interprets their validity. He stated that court decisions striking down aspects of INEC’s election guidelines should be respected as part of the democratic process.

Recalling the calls for an immediate amendment after those rulings, Bamidele said he deliberately declined to support the initiative, insisting that he would not participate in revising the Electoral Act in the tense period leading up to party primaries or a general election when allegations of manipulation are common and electoral authorities are facing intense scrutiny.

He reaffirmed that any amendment to the 2026 Electoral Act should only be undertaken after the conclusion of the 2027 general elections and must expressly provide that such changes will not apply retroactively to elections that have already been conducted.