President Bola Tinubu
Iyunade Grace
President Bola Tinubu has signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s electoral process. The signing ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with principal officers of the National Assembly in attendance. This development comes days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The new law introduces critical reforms designed to address historical gaps in the electoral process and integrate modern innovations. It recognizes electronic transmission of results but retains manual collation as a fallback, especially in areas with poor telecommunications infrastructure. The Act also addresses scenarios where election winners are disqualified by courts, mandating fresh elections instead of declaring the runner-up winner.
The Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) is a result of extensive deliberations and harmonization between the Senate and the House of Representatives. It provides a robust legal framework empowering INEC to conduct its duties without ambiguity or interference. The law maintains the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as the mandatory identification for voting, rejecting proposals for electronically generated IDs.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized that the amendment represents the first time since independence in 1960 that Nigeria’s electoral laws will recognize electronic transmission of results. The law eliminates the perennial problem of result manipulation between polling units and collation centers, introducing provisions that will make future elections more transparent and secure.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, hailed President Tinubu’s swift assent to the bill, describing it as a commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process. The law reduces the election notice period from 360 days to 300 days, aiming to prevent a clash with the Ramadan period.
The Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) has sparked debate, with opposition parties and civil society organizations criticizing the retention of manual transmission of results. They argue that this could undermine the credibility of the electoral process. However, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) supports the law, citing the need for a phased approach in areas with poor telecommunications infrastructure.
President Tinubu emphasized that the credibility of elections depends on proper human management and oversight, rather than solely on electronic systems. He urged stakeholders to prioritize transparency and accountability in the management of elections.
The new law formalizes the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as the sole mandatory method for voter accreditation, officially replacing older technologies. It also increases the fine for the illegal buying or selling of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to ₦5 million, maintaining a strict two-year imprisonment term for offenders.
The 2027 general elections are scheduled to hold on February 20 for Presidential and National Assembly elections, and March 6 for Governorship & State Houses of Assembly Elections. The Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) is expected to provide a framework for credible and transparent elections.
