Prosper Okoye
The Nigerian Senate has amended the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, reducing the notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days. The change gives the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) flexibility to schedule the 2027 presidential and national assembly elections between December 2026 and January 2027.
The adjustment, made on Tuesday during a clause-by-clause review of the reworked bill, was prompted by concerns that the previous 360-day requirement could force elections to fall during Ramadan, potentially affecting voter turnout and the overall inclusiveness of the process.
The amended clause 28 now requires INEC to publish an official election notice at least 300 days before the poll, specifying both the date of the election and the locations for submission of nomination papers.
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Tuesday’s session was marked by tense exchanges as senators debated multiple clauses of the bill, including Clause 60. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC/Abia South) called for a division on a provision related to electronic transmission of results, arguing that Form EC8A should not be the sole basis for results if the network fails.
After a vote, 55 senators supported retaining the provision allowing manual transmission when electronic systems fail, while 15 opposed it.
Senate proceedings were also briefly suspended for a closed-door session following disagreements over procedural rules, but resumed with the passage of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026.
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Legislative Oversight
The amendment came after a review of the bill identified discrepancies in multiple clauses affecting cross-referencing, numbering, and internal consistency. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who sponsored the motion for rescission, said the changes were necessary to ensure the bill’s clarity and smooth implementation.
Election Timeline
The INEC released its official timetable for the 2027 general elections on 13 February, detailing key dates for voting, party primaries, campaigns, and voter registration. The new 300-day notice period now gives the commission additional flexibility to schedule elections without conflicting with major religious observances.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
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