The Senate on Tuesday commenced an extraordinary plenary session to consider fresh adjustments to the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, following the release of the 2027 general election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The House of Representatives was also expected to begin a similar session, with lawmakers set to make crucial decisions on key national matters.
According to a notice issued by the Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi, the review was necessitated by concerns that the proposed dates for the presidential and National Assembly elections coincide with the Ramadan fasting period.
The notice indicated that the overlap could affect voter participation, particularly in areas with large Muslim populations.
Lawmakers are therefore seeking to align the electoral timetable with national and religious considerations to ensure broader inclusiveness and participation in the 2027 polls.
Central to the recommittal of the Bill is a proposal to reduce the statutory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days.
The adjustment, according to parliamentary sources, is intended to provide greater flexibility in election scheduling while still complying with constitutional requirements.
The development comes amid heightened public interest in electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections, with both chambers under pressure to ensure that the amended law reflects national consensus and safeguards democratic participation.
