BREAKING: President Tinubu Signs 2026 Electoral Act Amendment into Law
ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has officially signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill into law, marking a pivotal shift in Nigeria’s democratic framework just days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The signing ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja around 5:00 PM on Wednesday. The President was joined by principal officers of the National Assembly, who had passed the bill on Tuesday following weeks of legislative deliberation.
The new amendment arrives amid a heated national discourse regarding the electronic transmission of election results. Last week, the National Assembly complex was the site of sustained protests by civil society organizations and opposition figures. These groups have pressured the government to mandate the live transmission of results directly from polling units to INEC’s central server to reduce manipulation and enhance credibility.
However, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and various stakeholders have raised concerns over the technical feasibility of a purely electronic system. They point to the digital divide in areas with poor telecommunications infrastructure, arguing instead for a phased or hybrid approach that permits manual collation where electronic systems fail.
The push for reform is largely seen as a reaction to the 2023 elections, where the failure of the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) portal triggered widespread allegations of rigging and technical sabotage.
With the legal framework now established, the path is cleared for the 2027 general elections. According to the recently released INEC timetable, the Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for February 20, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will follow on March 6, 2027.
The Presidency is expected to provide further details on the specific provisions of the signed Act shortly.
