Amanze Chinonye
Nigeria’s National Assembly has unveiled a proposal to shift the country’s next presidential and governorship elections to November 2026, six months earlier than the usual schedule, under a new Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025.
The draft amendment, presented on Monday during a joint public hearing of the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters in Abuja, seeks to ensure that all election petitions are fully concluded before the May 29, 2027 handover date.
According to the proposed legislation, “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.” This provision effectively places the next general elections in November 2026.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelKey Reforms in the Draft Amendment
Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, said the move aims to prevent situations where court rulings on election petitions spill into a new administration’s tenure.
“The goal is to ensure that all manner of election litigations are dispensed with before the swearing-in of winners,” Balogun explained at the hearing.
To achieve this, lawmakers propose amendments to Sections 285 and 139 of the 1999 Constitution, seeking to shorten judicial timelines for election disputes.
Under the proposal:
- Election tribunal judgments would be delivered within 90 days (reduced from 180).
- Appellate court decisions would follow within 60 days (down from 90).
- The entire judicial process from tribunal to appeal must conclude within 185 days.
The bill also introduces several other reforms aimed at enhancing electoral credibility and efficiency:
- Mandatory electronic transmission of results: The proposed Section 60(5) reads, “The Presiding Officer shall transmit the results, including the total number of accredited voters, to the next level of collation both electronically and manually.”
- Penalties for non-compliance: Officers who issue unstamped ballot papers or result sheets risk one-year imprisonment or a ₦1 million fine.
- Early voting: Certain categories of voters including security personnel, INEC staff, accredited journalists, and election observers would be allowed to vote at least 14 days before election day.
- Single-day elections: Lawmakers are also revisiting an earlier proposal to hold all major elections presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly on the same day, to cut costs and reduce post-election ripple effects.
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Stakeholder Reactions
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), represented by Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, expressed support for the amendment’s emphasis on technology and timelines.
Zuru said INEC welcomes “the push for electronic voting and compulsory electronic transmission of results,” describing the provisions as “critical to improving transparency and reducing post-election disputes.”
The proposal has, however, drawn mixed reactions from political parties and observers. In July, a similar idea to synchronize all elections on the same day divided opinion across the political spectrum.
While the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) backed the move, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) opposed it, warning of possible administrative and security complications.
The initiative, championed by the House Committee on Constitution Review led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, emerged from extensive consultations held across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Nigeria’s electoral reform history has evolved through several amendments from the 2006 and 2010 Acts to the Electoral Act 2022, which introduced the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IreV).
However, the 2023 general elections exposed lingering challenges in logistics, result transmission, and protracted legal battles. Analysts and civil society organizations, including the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and International IDEA, have consistently called for electoral and judicial timelines to be harmonized to strengthen credibility.
Lawmakers say the new proposal addresses those long-standing concerns by aligning electoral processes with judicial efficiency, while INEC officials believe the mandatory e-transmission clause could enhance transparency and public confidence in future polls.
If enacted, the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 would mark one of the most consequential overhauls of Nigeria’s election framework since the country’s return to democracy in 1999 potentially setting a new precedent with a November 2026 election timetable.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
