Both chambers of the National Assembly have approved amendments to the Electoral Act Bill, 2026, reducing the election notice period from 360 days to 300 days. This adjustment gives the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a 60-day window to schedule the 2027 general elections outside Ramadan, ensuring the holy month does not coincide with voting.
The new Clause 28 requires INEC to publish election notices at least 300 days before elections, stating the election date and locations for submission of nomination papers. The reduction from the previous 360-day requirement allows flexibility for INEC to hold the presidential and National Assembly elections in January 2027, avoiding voter turnout and logistical challenges during Ramadan.
Senate deliberations on the bill included heated discussions over Clause 60, which deals with the electronic transmission of election results. A vote by 55 Senators supported transmitting results after Form EC8A is signed and stamped at polling units, while 15 opposed its removal. Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised the vote as upholding democracy and ensuring proper collation of results.
In the House of Representatives, lawmakers passed the hybrid results collation method, allowing electronic transmission while retaining Form EC8A as a fallback. The House also limited political party primaries to direct or consensus methods, a provision opposed by minority members who argued it restricted internal party processes. Despite walkouts and protests, the majority described the process as historic and consistent with House Standing Orders.
The adjustments to the Electoral Act Bill, including the 60-day election window and hybrid results collation, aim to improve transparency, inclusiveness, and logistical efficiency for the 2027 elections. Lawmakers emphasized that the changes provide INEC with flexibility while maintaining the integrity of Nigeria鈥檚 electoral process.
