In a bold departure from Nigeria’s usual electoral calendar, the National Assembly has floated a proposal to shift the 2027 presidential and governorship elections to November 2026 — six months ahead of the customary February–March window.
The move arises from a draft amendment to the Electoral Act 2022, presented during a public hearing by the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters of the Senate and House of Representatives.
Why November 2026?
At the heart of the proposal is the clause that elections for President and Governor should be held not later than 185 days before the expiry of the incumbents’ terms.
Given that the tenure of the current administration ends on 29 May 2027, counting backward by 185 days points to November 2026 as the latest feasible date.
By bringing forward the elections, lawmakers hope to guarantee that all electoral disputes are settled well before the swearing-in of new officeholders, avoiding scenarios where court judgments spill into new administrations.
Key Proposed Changes
The Electoral Act amendments contain several far-reaching measures intended to modernize Nigeria’s election framework and strengthen legal clarity:
* Shortened litigation timelines
Tribunal judgments would shrink from 180 days to 90 days. Appellate courts would have 60 days to render decisions. All judicial steps must be completed within the 185-day window before inauguration.
To align, Sections 285 and 139 of the 1999 Constitution would also be amended.
* Electronic voting and transmission of results
The draft bill mandates that presiding officers transmit results electronically and manually.
It also criminalizes the distribution of unstamped ballot papers or result sheets, with penalties of up to one year imprisonment, a ₦1 million fine, or both.
* Early voting provisions
A new clause proposes that certain categories — security personnel, INEC officials, accredited observers, journalists, ad hoc staff — may cast their ballots as early as 14 days before election day.
* Decoupling election timing from the Constitution
To allow more flexibility, the draft seeks to remove election-timing clauses from constitutional sections such as 76, 116, 132, and 178, and instead vest schedule authority in the Electoral Act itself (via a new Section 27 expansions).
Reactions
The public hearing drew inputs from civil society groups, political parties, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Many backed the reforms, citing gains in transparency, efficiency, and reduced judicial backlog.
Representing INEC, Professor Abdullahi Zuru expressed support for the proposals, especially the push for electronic voting, which he said would “enhance credibility, reduce human interference, and strengthen public confidence.”
You May Like: Peter Obi Condemns FG Over Property Demolitions in Nigeria
Civil society voices applauded the move as timely. Some argued it offers Nigeria’s democracy “breathing space,” enabling smoother transitions and less litigation-induced uncertainty.
2027 In View
If the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill gets passed and the Constitution is duly aligned, Nigeria could witness November 2026 as the starting point of a new electoral calendar.
This would mark a foundational shift in how the country conducts its democratic processes — placing emphasis on pre-inauguration legal finality and embracing technology-enhanced voting.
However, the path to realization is layered with debates, bargaining, and technical hurdles.
Observers will be watching closely as the bill moves through committees, floor debates, and potential judicial or political pushback. Whether Nigeria can synchronize ambition with execution remains the big question.
