As the House of Representatives reconvenes Tuesday to deliberate on the harmonised version of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Amendment), the real time transmission of results and Reserved Seats for Women Bill tops the agenda.
The House, at the weekend announced plans to reconvene for an emergency plenary on Tuesday to review matters arising from the release of the 2027 general election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The emergency sitting, according to the House spokesperson, Hon. AKIN Rotimi, “Reflects the resolve of the House to respond promptly to issues with far-reaching implications for the nations democratic process.
“Deliberations will focus on relevant legislative matters connected to the announcement, in line with the constitutional responsibilities of the National Assembly”.
He said “All legislative business relating to the matter is expected to be addressed expeditiously”.
New Telegraph gathered that the harmonisation committee of the Senate and House on the Electoral Act amendment is due to meet Monday (today), while its report will tabled for consideration on Tuesday, when the lawmakers reconvene in an emergency plenary.
While the House opted for real time e-transmission of results, the Senate voted for e-transmission with a caveat for manual compilation.
But following the release of the election timetable, the Reserved Seats for Women Bill Campaign Coalition in a statement signed by its Communications Lead, Hammed Adejare, on Sunday called for the immediate and decisive legislative action to secure inclusive political representation in Nigeria.
The coalition said, “The publication of the electoral calendar provides clarity for political parties, candidates, institutions, and citizens.
“It also underscores a critical reality: the legislative window to conclude consideration of House Bill 1349 and Senate Bill 550— the proposed constitutional amendment to establish 182 reserved seats for women across the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the State Houses of Assembly — is rapidly narrowing.
“Nigeria continues to record one of the lowest levels of female parliamentary representation globally, with women occupying less than five percent of seats in the National Assembly”.
According to the statement, “This enduring imbalance is not merely statistics; it reflects structural barriers that weaken representative governance and erode public confidence in democratic institutions.
“The Reserved Seats for Women bill is a time-bound corrective mechanism designed to operate for an initial period of sixteen years, the bill would accelerate progress toward balanced representation while preserving the integrity and competitiveness of Nigeria’s electoral system.
“It is measured, constitutional, and aligned with democratic best practice. Women across Nigeria’s 36 states are prepared to contest, lead, and serve.
“The question before the nation is whether the 469 lawmakers of the 10th National Assembly are prepared to act with urgency and responsibility to remove systemic barriers that have constrained women’s participation for decades.
“The coalition, therefore, urges the leadership of the National Assembly to prioritize and fast-track the passage of SB 550 and HB 1349 within the remaining legislative timeframe.
“Nigeria must not approach the 2027 General Elections with the same structural inequities that have long limited women’s full and equal participation in the democratic process.
“The moment for reform is now. The electoral clock is ticking”, it stated.
