Nigeria, March 28 -- A bill seeking to mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all elections in Nigeria, ranging from presidential to local government elections on a single day has passed a second reading at the Senate.

The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session announced the passage during the plenary on Thursday after majority of the senators supported it through voice votes.

The bill, sponsored by Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central), also aimed to reduce the period of campaign and amend the Electoral Act to streamline the electoral process, reduce costs, and provide a specific time for conducting elections, declaration of results and swearing-in of elected candidates.

If the b...