*Wants 2027 Elections To Hold In November 2026
*Seeks To Reduce Court Involvement In Post-Election Battle
*Okays Early Voting
*Stakeholders Demand Full Electronic Voting, Result Transmission
THE National Assembly has proposes a review of the timetable of the 2027 general elections to hold in November 2026, six months before the end of the current administration’s tenure.
The move, part of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, aims to allow all election litigations to be concluded before the May 29, 2027 swearing-in of elected leaders, thereby ending the tradition of court cases dragging after a new administration had assumed office.
The draft amendment, unveiled on Monday, October 13, during a public hearing jointly organised by the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters in Abuja, aroused the interest of politicians, civil society and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Section 4(7) of the draft reads: “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.”
That means the elections must hold in November 2026, three months earlier than the traditional February or March election window.
Section 4(5) touches on elections into the National and State Assemblies, ensuring a harmonised electoral schedule across the federation.
Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balogun, explained that the reform was targeted at ensuring all disputes arising from the polls are settled before the winners take office.
He explained: “We are proposing that all tribunal judgments be concluded within 90 days, appeals within 60 days and Supreme Court decisions within the remaining days, ensuring everything is wrapped up within 185 days.”
To facilitate the reform, the National Assembly will also amend Sections 285 and 139 of the 1999 Constitution partaining to election dispute timelines.
They are also seeking to modernise Nigeria’s voting system through mandatory electronic voting and electronic transmission of results, a longstanding demand from electoral stakeholders.
Section 60(5) of the draft Bill provides that: “The Presiding Officer shall transmit the results, including total number of accredited voters, to the next level of collation both electronically and manually.”
Failure to comply would attract stiff sanctions, including one-year imprisonment, a N1million fine, or both, for any official who issues unstamped or unverified ballot papers or result sheets.
The Bill introduces early voting, which allows security personnel, INEC staff, accredited observers, journalists and ad-hoc officials to cast their ballots up to 14 days before election day, to ensure those on essential election duties do not lose their right to vote.
The proposals was well-received and endorsed by those at the hearing, including INEC’s representative, Abdullahi Zuru, who said the reforms would “enhance electoral credibility, allow better planning and minimise post-election pressure on the courts.”
Civil society organisations, groups and political parties described the amendments as courageous and timely, saying holding the elections earlier than before would give Nigeria’s democracy “breathing space and credibility.”
If passed, the proposed amendments would reset the country’s political calendar and also redefine its democratic culture, allowing for orderly elections, timely justice and smoother transitions of power.
