By Chimdiogo Amuh 

The Senate has constituted a 12-member committee to work with the House of Representatives to harmonise the controversial Electoral Amendment Bill, following widespread public criticism of the proposed changes.

The decision was announced on Tuesday by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during an emergency plenary session. He explained that the committee would engage directly with its House counterparts to reconcile differences between the versions of the bill passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.

Members of the Senate committee include Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Orji Uzor Kalu, Tokunbo Abiru, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, and Jibrin Isa Ochocho, among others.

Akpabio charged the lawmakers to expedite their work to ensure that outstanding issues are resolved promptly, allowing the President to assent to the bill within the month.

The Electoral Amendment Act has generated intense debate, particularly over provisions relating to the electronic transmission of election results. Critics argue that amendments by the Senate—especially the removal of the phrase “real-time” from the e-transmission clause—may weaken transparency and undermine electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The joint harmonisation committee is expected to address these contentious provisions, including voting timelines, results transmission, and other technical reforms, before submitting a unified bill for final consideration and approval by both legislative chambers.