BREAKING: Tinubu signs Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 into Law

President Bola Tinubu has signed the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 into law, introducing fresh changes to Nigeria’s electoral framework just days after the 2027 general election timetable was unveiled.

The signing ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja at about 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, in the presence of principal officers of the National Assembly. The amended bill had been passed by lawmakers on Tuesday.

The development follows the recent announcement of the 2027 election schedule by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), formally setting the stage for political activities ahead of the nationwide polls.

Electronic Transmission Debate

A key feature of the amendment is the issue of electronic transmission of election results — a subject that has generated intense national debate.

In recent weeks, civil society groups and opposition figures staged protests at the National Assembly, calling for mandatory real-time transmission of results directly from polling units to INEC’s central database.

Supporters argue that compulsory live transmission would reduce manipulation and enhance transparency, thereby boosting public trust in the electoral process.

However, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other stakeholders have expressed concerns about network challenges in remote communities. They advocate a more flexible system that allows manual collation where electronic transmission may not be feasible.

The debate also revived memories of the 2023 general elections, when technical issues affecting INEC’s Results Viewing Portal sparked allegations of irregularities.

2027 Election Timeline

Under the timetable already released by INEC, presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for February 20, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will take place on March 6, 2027.

Further details are expected as political actors and stakeholders assess the implications of the new amendments ahead of the 2027 polls.