Tinubu Signs Amended Electoral Act 2026 into Law Ahead of 2027 Polls
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill into law, marking a significant development in Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The signing ceremony took place around 5:00 p.m. at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in the presence of principal officers of the National Assembly. The legislature had passed the amendment bill on Tuesday.
The new law comes just days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the timetable for the 2027 general elections, underscoring preparations for the forthcoming polls.
Debate Over Electronic Transmission
The amendment has reignited national debate over the electronic transmission of election results. Civil society organisations and opposition figures have consistently advocated for real-time transmission of results directly from polling units to INEC’s central server, arguing that such measures would reduce manipulation and enhance electoral credibility.
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Last week, protesters stormed the National Assembly complex to demand the adoption of live electronic transmission. The agitation follows controversies surrounding the 2023 general elections, during which INEC’s Results Viewing Portal experienced technical glitches, leading to allegations of irregularities.
While the ruling All Progressives Congress has expressed support for the deployment of technology to strengthen electoral integrity, some stakeholders have called for a phased or hybrid approach. They argue that areas with limited telecommunications infrastructure may require manual collation as a backup where electronic systems are unavailable or fail.
2027 Election Dates
According to INEC’s timetable, the 2027 general elections will be held in two phases:
Presidential and National Assembly elections on February 20, 2027.
Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on March 6, 2027.
With the amended Electoral Act now in force, attention is expected to shift to implementation strategies and stakeholder engagement to ensure a transparent and credible electoral process.
More details are expected to emerge in the coming days.
By PRNigeria
