The Nigerian Senate has approved a significant reduction in the timeframe within which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is required to publish its notice of election. The period has been cut from the existing 360 days to 180 days ahead of any general election.
The decision was reached during plenary as part of amendments aimed at fine-tuning the country’s electoral process. Lawmakers argued that the earlier 360-day requirement was unnecessarily long and placed avoidable administrative and logistical pressure on the electoral body.
By halving the notice period, the Senate maintained that INEC would still have sufficient time to prepare adequately for elections while ensuring greater flexibility in electoral planning. The amendment is also expected to align Nigeria’s electoral timetable more closely with international best practices.
The proposed change forms part of broader efforts by the National Assembly to strengthen the legal framework guiding elections and improve the efficiency and credibility of the electoral system. Once fully passed and assented to, the new timeline will officially guide future elections conducted by INEC.
