Seeking to reform Nigeria’s electoral calendar and prevent prolonged post-election disputes, the National Assembly has proposed that the next presidential and governorship elections take place in November 2026, shifting them six months earlier than the usual February–March timeline.
The proposal, part of the draft amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, was unveiled on Monday during a one-day public hearing organized by the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
According to lawmakers, the initiative aims to ensure that all election-related disputes are resolved before the May 29, 2027, inauguration of newly elected officials, a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
If approved, the amendment would represent the most profound alteration to the nation’s electoral timetable since the return to democratic governance in 1999.
Six-Month Shift in Electoral Timeline
Section 4(7) of the proposed amendment states: “Elections into the office of the President and Governor of a State shall be held not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.”
A calculation of the 185-day period before May 29, 2027, places both the presidential and governorship polls squarely in November 2026.
Similarly, Section 4(5) stipulates that elections into the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly must also occur “not later than 185 days before the date on which each of the Houses stands dissolved.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, explained that the proposed shift would allow adequate time for the resolution of election petitions before new leaders are sworn in.
“We are proposing to shorten the duration for election litigations. Tribunals will now have 90 days instead of 180 to deliver judgments, while appellate courts will have 60 days,” Balogun said.
He added that the Supreme Court would also have a clearly defined window to handle appeals within the 185-day framework, ensuring no election case lingers beyond the inauguration date.
Constitutional Amendments to Back the Proposal
To accommodate the revised schedule, the Joint Committee suggested amending Sections 76, 116, 132, and 178 of the 1999 Constitution, which currently fix election timelines, and transferring that authority to the Electoral Act.
“Section 28, now Section 27 (5–7), was introduced to remove the determination of election timelines from the Constitution and vest it in the Electoral Act,” Balogun explained.
Lawmakers believe this structural adjustment would empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to manage election schedules more flexibly, free from constitutional limitations.
Strong Support for Electronic Voting and Result Transmission
The hearing drew wide support from electoral stakeholders, including INEC, civil society groups, journalists, and election observers, who backed the use of electronic voting and electronic transmission of results.
Representing INEC, Professor Abdullahi Zuru expressed the commission’s support, stating that the reforms would enhance transparency, reduce human interference, and strengthen public confidence in the process.
Section 60(5) of the draft amendment mandates the compulsory electronic transmission of results from polling units while maintaining a manual backup for verification.
It reads: “The Presiding Officer shall transmit the results, including the total number of accredited voters, to the next level both electronically and manually.”
To discourage malpractice, the proposed law criminalizes the use of unstamped ballot papers and result sheets, prescribing a one-year imprisonment or a fine of ₦1 million, or both, for offenders.
Early Voting for Election Officials and Journalists
A notable innovation in the proposed amendment is the introduction of early voting, ensuring that Nigerians deployed for election duties are not disenfranchised.
“There shall be a date set aside for early voting not later than 14 days to the day of the election,” the document states.
Eligible voters under this provision include security personnel, INEC officials, accredited journalists, domestic observers, and ad-hoc staff, categories often unable to vote under existing arrangements.
Broader Reforms to Deepen Electoral Credibility
The Joint Committee also recommended several other reforms designed to enhance inclusiveness and credibility. These include non-compulsory use of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC), allowing INEC-approved alternatives where necessary, and stricter penalties for electoral offences such as result manipulation or interference with electronic systems.
Lawmakers also proposed stronger oversight of political party primaries to promote internal democracy and prevent imposition of candidates.
Civil society representatives at the hearing overwhelmingly supported the reforms, describing them as crucial for reducing electoral tension, limiting judicial manipulation, and promoting smoother power transitions.
INEC’s representative, Prof. Zuru, further applauded the legislature for recognizing Nigeria’s logistical realities, saying:
“Conducting elections earlier will not only improve planning and litigation timelines but also reduce the risk of rushed inaugurations and post-swearing-in reversals.”
Toward a New Era of Electoral Certainty
With the 2027 general election less than two years away, the proposed reforms stand out as one of the most ambitious overhauls since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule.
If the amendments sail through both chambers and receive presidential assent, the country’s next presidential and governorship elections could hold in November 2026, ensuring that all disputes are settled before May 29, 2027.
The National Assembly’s proposal has already raised optimism that Nigeria’s democracy may finally be on course toward a cleaner, faster, and more transparent electoral system, one where no elected leader assumes office under the cloud of legal uncertainty.
