Nigeria’s election calendar may soon undergo a major shift as the National Assembly has proposed that the 2027 presidential and governorship elections be held in November 2026 — six months before the current administration’s term ends.
The proposal, contained in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, seeks to ensure that all election-related court cases are resolved before the May 29, 2027 handover date. This reform aims to end the long-standing practice of new leaders assuming office while their election results remain under litigation.
The draft bill was unveiled on Monday during a public hearing jointly organised by the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters in Abuja. The session drew wide participation from politicians, civil society groups, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the proposed Section 4(7), elections for the offices of President and Governor must be conducted no later than 185 days before the end of the incumbents’ tenure, which effectively places the polls in November 2026 — roughly three months earlier than Nigeria’s usual February or March elections.
A similar provision in Section 4(5) applies to the National and State Assembly elections, ensuring a uniform electoral schedule nationwide.
Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, explained that the proposed timeline is designed to ensure that all tribunal, appeal, and Supreme Court decisions are concluded before new officeholders are sworn in.
“We are proposing that tribunal rulings be delivered within 90 days, appeals within 60 days, and the Supreme Court conclude within the remaining days — all within the 185-day framework,” Balogun said.
To align with this new timetable, lawmakers also plan to amend Sections 285 and 139 of the 1999 Constitution, which currently set limits on timelines for resolving election disputes.
The bill also includes provisions for mandatory electronic voting and electronic transmission of results, addressing a long-standing demand by electoral reform advocates. Section 60(5) stipulates that presiding officers must transmit results, including the total number of accredited voters, both electronically and manually.
Non-compliance would attract penalties of up to one year in prison, a ₦1 million fine, or both, for any official issuing unstamped or unverified ballot papers or result sheets.
Another key feature of the bill is the introduction of early voting for security personnel, INEC staff, journalists, accredited observers, and ad-hoc officials — allowing them to vote up to 14 days before election day to ensure they do not miss their civic duty while on election assignment.
INEC’s representative, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, described the proposals as “innovative and practical,” noting that the reforms would strengthen electoral credibility, improve planning, and reduce post-election litigation pressure.
Civil society organisations and political parties also praised the initiative as a bold and timely reform, saying that moving the elections forward would give the democratic process “more credibility and breathing space.”
If enacted, the amendments will not only reset Nigeria’s electoral timetable but could also reshape its democratic culture, fostering smoother transitions and more trusted elections.
As one participant put it during the hearing:
“It’s more than just changing the date — it’s about restoring confidence in Nigeria’s elections.”
