President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill into law, marking a significant development in Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The signing ceremony took place around 5:00 p.m. at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in the presence of principal officers of the National Assembly. The bill had been passed by the National Assembly a day earlier.
The amendment has reignited national debate over the electronic transmission of election results. Civil society organisations and opposition figures have consistently advocated for real-time transmission of results directly from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) central server, arguing that it would reduce manipulation and enhance electoral transparency.
Tensions rose last week when protesters stormed the National Assembly complex, demanding live electronic transmission of results. Their agitation was fueled by controversies surrounding the 2023 general elections, during which INEC’s Results Viewing Portal reportedly experienced technical challenges, leading to widespread allegations of irregularities.
While the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed support for the adoption of technology in elections, some stakeholders have called for a phased or hybrid approach. They argue that areas with poor telecommunications infrastructure may require manual collation where electronic transmission systems fail.
The 2027 general elections have been scheduled for February 20, 2027, for Presidential and National Assembly elections, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on March 6, 2027.
Further details are expected to emerge as stakeholders review the full provisions of the amended law.
