President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill into law, establishing the legal framework for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
The brief ceremony took place at the State House, Abuja, around 5:00 p.m., with principal officers of the National Assembly and senior government officials in attendance. The amendment was passed on Tuesday by both chambers of the National Assembly after weeks of legislative scrutiny and public consultations on key electoral reforms.
The presidential assent comes days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) unveiled the official timetable for the 2027 general elections, signaling early institutional preparations for the polls.
Focus on Transparency, Logistics
The amended law is expected to introduce measures aimed at strengthening transparency, improving election logistics, and addressing operational gaps observed in previous electoral cycles.
Central to public debate in recent weeks has been the issue of electronic transmission of results — a subject that has continued to generate intense national discussion.
Civil society organisations, opposition parties, and pro-democracy groups have advocated mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units directly to INEC’s central database. Last week, demonstrators gathered at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, urging lawmakers to enshrine live electronic uploads in the revised legislation.
Proponents argue that instant digital transmission would reduce manipulation during collation, enhance credibility, and rebuild public trust in election outcomes.
However, the proposal has faced resistance from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and some electoral stakeholders. They caution that Nigeria’s uneven telecommunications infrastructure could hinder full digital implementation nationwide.
Instead, they advocate a phased or hybrid approach — allowing manual collation in areas with limited network coverage, while enabling electronic transmission where infrastructure supports it.
Ahead of 2027
Observers note that the timely signing of the amendment reflects the administration’s intention to conclude electoral reforms well ahead of the 2027 elections. Early legal clarity, analysts suggest, will enable INEC to fine-tune regulations, deploy necessary technology, and intensify voter education efforts.
Political stakeholders also believe that settling contentious legal issues now may reduce pre-election disputes and provide a clearer operational roadmap for parties and candidates.
Further details of the specific provisions of the amended Act are expected to be released by the Presidency and the National Assembly in the coming days.
Tinubu Signs Electoral Act Amendment Bill into Law
