President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday assented to the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill, establishing the legal framework for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections just days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the official election timetable.
The brief signing ceremony took place around 5:00 p.m. at the State House in Abuja, with principal officers of the National Assembly and top government officials in attendance.
The amendment bill had been approved by both chambers of the National Assembly on Tuesday after weeks of legislative review and stakeholder consultations on proposed electoral reforms.
The updated law is expected to introduce measures designed to enhance transparency, improve election logistics and address operational shortcomings observed in previous election cycles.
The President’s assent comes amid intense national debate over electronic transmission of election results, one of the most contentious elements of Nigeria’s electoral system.
In recent weeks, civil society groups, opposition parties and pro-democracy advocates have stepped up calls for compulsory real-time electronic transmission of results directly from polling units to INEC’s central database.
Last week, demonstrators gathered at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, urging lawmakers to explicitly mandate live electronic result uploads in the amended legislation. They argued that instant transmission would reduce manipulation during collation, strengthen transparency and restore public confidence in election outcomes.
However, the proposal has faced opposition from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and some electoral stakeholders, who warn that Nigeria’s uneven telecommunications infrastructure may hinder full digital implementation nationwide.
They have advocated a phased or hybrid approach that would allow manual collation in areas with poor network coverage, while electronic transmission operates where infrastructure permits.
Observers say the early passage and signing of the amendment reflect the administration’s intention to conclude electoral reforms well ahead of the 2027 elections, enabling INEC to fine-tune regulations, deploy technology and intensify voter education.
Analysts also suggest that early legal certainty could help reduce pre-election disputes and provide clearer operational guidance for political parties and candidates.
Further details of the amended Act’s specific provisions are expected from the Presidency and the National Assembly in the coming days.
Details to follow…
