The National Assembly has introduced key reforms in the Electoral Act, 2026, describing the legislation as a significant overhaul aimed at enhancing transparency, strengthening electoral integrity, and deepening democratic governance in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Highlights of the reforms include the creation of a dedicated fund for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), mandatory electronic transmission of election results, compulsory use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter verification, and the requirement for political parties to maintain a digital membership register for primaries.
The Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed these measures in a statement from his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, emphasising that the law followed two years of extensive consultations with stakeholders.
Bamidele explained that the National Assembly engaged the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), INEC, civil society organisations, and development partners before harmonising the versions of the Electoral Bill passed by both chambers and sending it to President Bola Tinubu for assent. He noted that the President signed the bill within 24 hours of its passage to prevent a potential constitutional crisis ahead of the 2027 elections, despite concerns from some civil society groups over the speed of assent.
He added that the Act is intended to strengthen institutional independence, improve technological integration, enhance transparency in election management, and reinforce accountability mechanisms within Nigeria’s electoral system.