NEWS Beep: Again, N’assembly Proposes Nov. 2026 Presidential, Governorship Elections in New Electoral Act Amendment…details
Ahead of the 2027 general election, the national assembly is proposing that presidential and gubernatorial polls be held in November 2026 instead of the traditional February or March date.
The proposed changes to the Electoral Act of 2022 mandate that election results be transmitted both electronically and manually, and also make the use of permanent voter cards optional.
The draft bill also suggests introducing early voting, as outlined in Section 2. This section states that a specific date should be designated for early voting, occurring no more than 14 days prior to the election day.
However, the proposal states that those in Nigeria who are eligible for early voting include security personnel, officials from the electoral commission, accredited observers, journalists, and the commission’s temporary staff.
Section 2 of the proposed bill specifies that “there shall be a date set aside for early voting not later than 14 days before the day of the election.”
Section 60(5) of the draft states that, “The presiding officer shall transmit the results, including the total number of accredited voters, to the next level of collation both electronically and manually.”
The proposal, included in the broad changes to the 2022 Electoral Act, aims to shift the elections forward by roughly six months. This adjustment is intended to ensure that all legal matters related to the elections, both before and after, are resolved by the handover date on May 29, 2027. If this passes, the presidential and governorship elections would take place in November 2026, rather than the usual February or March timeframe.
The proposal is included in the draft changes to the 2022 Electoral Act, which require that elections for both positions take place at least 185 days before the current officeholder’s term ends on May 29.
According to Section 4(7) of the suggested amendment, “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.”
In accordance with Section 4(5) of the suggested amendment concerning legislative elections, it is stipulated that, “elections into the state houses of assembly and the National Assembly shall be held not later than 185 days before the date on which each of the houses stands dissolved.”
Lawmakers indicated that this change aims to halt the practice of inaugurating elected officials while their electoral wins are still being legally contested.
During the joint public hearing held on Monday, the House Committee on Electoral Matters, led by Adebayo Balogun, contended that shifting the elections to November 2026 would facilitate the resolution of all election-related legal disputes before the winners are inaugurated.
Balogun mentioned that the aim was to allow sufficient time to settle election disputes. The committee suggested amending the current system by shortening the duration for tribunal judgments from 180 days to 90 days.
If passed, the amendment also imposes penalties for failure to comply.
While the proposal has received backing from INEC, which described it as a step toward greater transparency and efficiency in the electoral process, opposition parties remain divided over its motive and potential impact.
….stay tuned for more!