IF we never do anything which has not been done before, we shall not get anywhere. The Law will stand still while the rest of the world goes on and this will be bad for both- Lord Denning. These words underscores the need for bold and innovative approach in resolving disputes and proffering solutions to national issues.
This time-honoured statement appears readily handy in resolving whether all elections from presidential to state legislative polls should hold simultaneously across the nation as against the current practice of staggered electoral system in Nigeria
Only recently, the Chairman of Asaba branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) ruled out the feasibility of conducting all polls in one day, positing that it is impracticable as the current legal framework and level of illiteracy among a preponderance of the electorate do not favour a simultaneous poll in a day.
The legal luminary is not alone in this position as others have equally argued that one day for all polls entails massive and extensive logistical planning and deployment of security personnel to ensure the security, smooth and effective operation of polling units across the nation, which indeed remains a daunting task that the nation is hardly equipped to handle. There is also the view that poor, inadequate voter education, hectic, complex and time-consuming process associated with counting and collation of results in simultaneous elections are critical factors that most likely will render simultaneous polls impracticable.
While we agree with the opponents of a one day conduct of all elections to the extent that there is the need to rejig the legal frame work, such as the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, and the Electoral Act in addition to massive and extensive voter education in order to make simultaneous polls work, we are of the firm view that these challenges are surmountable and cannot foreclose the possibility or practicality of conducting all the elections in a day.
It is indeed our firm view that the advantages of a single day poll outweigh the disadvantages and all that is needed to harness the advantages is to have the political will to allow the system work.
This essentially entails amending the legal frame work, addressing our minds to the issue with all politicians and other stakeholders joining hands to ensure the success of the process.
As part of this effort, the House of Representatives, through a bill (HB. 1306) took a step forward aimed at amending the Constitution to mandate the simultaneous conduct of all general elections in the country thereby streamlining the electoral process with presidential, gubernatorial, and legislative elections taking place on the same day.
The Bill, sponsored by Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive, sought to alter Sections 84, 153 and the 3rd Schedule of the Constitution and provide that all general elections in Nigeria be held on the same day. This is to ensure a streamlined electoral process and reduce the administrative burden on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
As of July 2025, HB. 1306 went through the First Reading in the House of Representatives. The fact that such a bill attracted the attention of our lawmakers is a clear manifestation that with the right political will, and cooperation by stakeholders, there is the need for a shift from the staggered template.
It is our irrevocable belief that simultaneous polls has huge material benefits as a careful cost- benefit analysis will definitely favour it with tremendous reduction of logistical pressures on INEC and indeed a significant cost savings for the government unlike conducting multiple elections on different days which more often than not precipitates humongous expenses on various election-related activities.
On the complexity of counting, compilation and announcement of results, we advocate for technological upgrade for computers and other gadgets to reflect the speed and accuracy needed for simultaneous polls.
Clearly, a one-day poll has the potential to encourage higher voter participation, minimize voter fatigue and reduce financial losses among citizens, particularly businessmen and women, who in staggered elections have to abandon their trades to spend multiple times visiting polling centres in order to exercise their franchise.
More importantly, consolidated system of elections has the capacity of eradicating band wagon effects and general electoral malpractices thus bringing to the electoral body the much needed credibility, acceptance and trust from the electorate, while staggered polls obviouslyprovide wide opportunities for manipulation.
Obviously, with the necessary legal framework and upgrade in technology, simultaneous polls is practicable in Nigeria.
