The National Assembly is driving a massive electoral reform by proposing to move the 2027 General Elections to November 2026. This amendment to the Electoral Act is designed to ensure all election petitions are finalised before the next government’s swearing-in, boosting electoral credibility in Nigerian democracy.
Why the Date Change?
Nigeria’s election timetable is on the brink of a major overhaul. The National Assembly (NASS) has officially proposed that the 2027 presidential and governorship elections should hold in November 2026. This move, included in the new Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, seeks to pull the poll date forward by about three months from the traditional February/March timeline.
The primary goal of this strategic electoral reform is critical: to ensure all legal battles (election litigations) arising from the polls are completely concluded before the new leaders take office on May 29, 2027. Lawmakers want to end the long-standing tradition where court cases often drag well into the tenure of an incumbent government.
Under the new proposal, elections for the President and Governor must be held not later than 185 days before the incumbent’s term ends. This timeline is what points directly to the new November 2026 poll date.
Ensuring Justice and Credibility
To make this work, the NASS plans to simultaneously amend key sections of the 1999 Constitution that govern the timelines for election disputes. The Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters explained the plan: all tribunal judgments must be wrapped up within 90 days, appeals within 60 days, and Supreme Court decisions within the remaining days, all to be completed within that 185-day window.
In addition to shifting the date, lawmakers are pushing for other significant reforms to modernise the Nigerian voting system:
- Mandatory Electronic Voting and Transmission of Results: This long-awaited change aims to increase transparency.
- Stiff Sanctions: Any official who fails to comply with the rules, such as issuing unverified ballot papers, faces up to one year in prison, a N1 million fine, or both.
- Early Voting: A novel feature introduced for essential personnel like security agents, INEC staff, observers, and journalists, allowing them to vote up to 14 days before the main election day.
Widespread Support and Technology Push
The reforms received strong support during a public hearing in Abuja. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) representative stated that the changes would significantly enhance electoral credibility and allow for better planning.
In a rare display of unity, the 19 registered political parties, under the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), also backed the sweeping reforms, urging the NASS to restore public trust in Nigerian democracy.
Furthermore, experts are pushing for the inclusion of blockchain technology to secure election results, arguing that its tamper-proof nature could eliminate fears of hacking and manipulation, marking a turning point in Nigeria’s quest for a truly credible electoral process. The United Kingdom (UK) has also expressed its readiness to partner with Nigeria to strengthen these democratic efforts.
