The National Assembly has proposed key amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act that would make presidential and governorship elections hold six months before the expiration of incumbents’ tenures.
If approved and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, the next general elections — earlier scheduled for February/March 2027 — would now be conducted in November 2026.
According to the Reviewed Highlights of the Amendment of the Electoral Act obtained by the press at a public hearing in Abuja, the proposed reform mandates that presidential and governorship polls “must be conducted not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.”
The hearing, organised by the Joint Committees on Electoral Matters of the National Assembly in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), drew participation from lawmakers, political parties, civil society organisations (CSOs), and electoral experts.
Lawmakers said the reform effort was part of measures to correct observed flaws from the 2023 general elections and to strengthen credibility ahead of the 2027 polls.
Key Highlights of the Proposed Amendment
The amendment extends the same six-month timeline to National Assembly and state assembly elections, requiring them to hold at least 185 days before the end of the current tenure. It also proposes that any legislative vacancy arising more than 90 days before a general election must be filled within 30 days.
Additionally, the bill seeks to align the Electoral Act with constitutional provisions in Sections 76, 116, 132, and 178, making the Electoral Act — not the Constitution — the primary authority on election timelines.
Efforts to obtain reactions from major opposition parties — the PDP, ADC, and Labour Party — were unsuccessful as of press time.
Civil Society Raises Concerns
Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, criticised the proposal, calling it “unnecessary and potentially counterproductive.”
He warned that holding elections too early could give incumbents undue advantage during the transition period.
“If elections are held six months before handover, incumbents might use the remaining time to rack up debts or make mass appointments. We’ve seen this happen before,” Rafsanjani cautioned.
He also argued that a long interval between elections and inauguration could fuel political instability.
“In the U.S., elections are held in November and the new government assumes office in January — a two-month transition. Nigeria should emulate that efficiency,” he added.
While backing the idea of resolving election petitions before inauguration, Rafsanjani maintained that such could be achieved without extending the electoral calendar.
Major Reforms Contained in the Draft Electoral Bill 2025
The proposed amendment introduces several significant changes, including:
Voting rights for inmates, mandating INEC to register eligible prisoners.
Digital voter identification through e-cards embedded with QR codes.
Harsher penalties for electoral offences, including mandatory jail terms for falsifying results or obstructing election officials.
Mandatory annual audits of INEC within six months of every fiscal year.
Increased campaign spending limits to reflect inflationary trends.
Early voting for security agents, journalists, INEC staff, and accredited observers at least 14 days before election day.
INEC’s authority to review declared results within seven days if made under duress or in violation of due process.
The bill also recognises inmates as residents of their correctional facilities, in line with a court ruling affirming prisoners’ right to vote.
Debate Over Electronic Transmission of Results
Stakeholders at the hearing renewed calls for mandatory electronic transmission of results to boost transparency and public confidence.
However, the proposed bill stops short of making it compulsory, defining “transmission” to cover both manual and electronic methods.
Legal scholar Prof. Abiodun Amuda-Kannike (SAN) urged lawmakers to make real-time electronic transmission mandatory and to abolish state electoral commissions to curb manipulation at the grassroots.
Also, Prof. Abdullahi Seun and Lanre Arogundade of the International Press Institute (IPI) called for the adoption of verified digital systems, diaspora voting, and direct uploads of results to INEC’s IReV portal.
Civil society groups led by Dr. Akin Akingbulu further demanded that INEC be legally required to test-run all election technologies before polling day and that all petitions be concluded before elected officials are sworn in.
Lawmakers, INEC, and Partners Speak
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Chief Whip Tahir Monguno, described the reforms as “a vital step in Nigeria’s democratic consolidation.”
Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere, assured that the amendment process would be concluded in good time for presidential assent ahead of the 2027 elections.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong, noted that the reforms were designed to “serve the collective interest of Nigerians, not any political party.”
INEC National Commissioner Prof. Abdullahi Abdul Zuru disclosed that the Commission made 75 observations and 142 recommendations following its post-election review of the 2023 polls.
He added that INEC was considering diaspora and early voting, as well as replacing PVCs with downloadable electronic voter cards.
“We believe PVCs are now obsolete. E-voter cards will simplify registration and enhance accessibility,” he said.
UK Lauds Nigeria’s Electoral Reform Drive
Cynthia Roll, representative of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), commended Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to reform its electoral system, describing them as “a testament to democratic resilience.”
> “Public hearings like this amplify citizens’ voices. They ensure reforms are designed not just for the people, but with the people,” she said.
She urged lawmakers to ensure that transparency and inclusiveness remain central to the new electoral framework.
> “Democracy is never finished; it is a continuous act of renewal. The UK stands ready to walk this journey with Nigeria,” she added.
