A bill aiming to amend the 1999 Constitution to permit the simultaneous conduct of presidential, governorship, National Assembly, state assembly, and local government elections has successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill, sponsored by Imo State lawmaker Ikenga Ugochinyere and 35 others, was introduced by House leader Julius Ihonvbere during Tuesday’s plenary session.
This legislation was passed alongside 38 other constitutional amendments designed to address various challenges facing the country’s political, security, and electoral systems.
Specifically, the bill seeks to amend Section 116 of the Constitution, allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission, in coordination with the Electoral Act, to determine the simultaneous scheduling of elections for president, governors, National Assembly members, state Houses of Assembly, and local government positions.
Following strong support from lawmakers, the bill has been sent to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative assessment.
This bill, along with others, is part of broader efforts by the National Assembly to revise the 1999 Constitution.
In February, both the Senate and the House of Representatives established special committees to review the Constitution, committing to rectify the issues that have hindered previous constitutional amendments in the country.
They also pledged to collaborate closely with other branches of government to ensure a smooth, transparent, and expedient process.
