National Assembly highlights key reforms in 2026 Electoral Act

The National Assembly has outlined far-reaching reforms embedded in the Electoral Act 2026, describing the new legal framework as a decisive step towards strengthening electoral transparency, technological integration and institutional independence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed the key provisions in a statement issued by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Sunday, revealing that the legislature engaged the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organisations and development partners for two consecutive years before the law was enacted.

According to him, the making of the new regime “is a collective work that involves nearly all critical stakeholders. The National Assembly worked with such different stakeholders as OAGF, CSOs, INEC and our development partners, among others, before we eventually completed the process.

“As we were making progress, the stakeholders too were making their input, and all the inputs were incorporated in the Act. In view of the time constraint we are facing now, I do not believe the Executive requires days or weeks to review it before assent since we all contributed to it. Its outcome is not a unilateral effort of the parliament, but of Nigerians at large.”

President Bola Tinubu assented to the bill within 24 hours of its transmission, completing what lawmakers described as a two-year recrafting process designed to avert constitutional uncertainty ahead of the next general election.

Among the headline reforms is the creation of a dedicated fund for INEC under Section 3 of the Act. Bamidele said the provision guarantees the commission’s financial autonomy, operational stability and administrative continuity, requiring that election funds be released at least six months before a general election.

The Act also makes the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) mandatory for voter accreditation under Section 47, while Section 60(3) provides for compulsory electronic transmission of election results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

Section 60(6) prescribes a six-month imprisonment or a fine of ₦500,000, or both, for any presiding officer who wilfully frustrates electronic transmission of results.

“This provision is consistent with the public demands,” Bamidele said, clarifying, however, that IReV is designed to enhance transparency and is not an electronic collation platform.

The new law also expands INEC’s powers to review questionable result declarations made under duress or procedural violations and prescribes a two-year jail term without option of fine for any Resident Electoral Commissioner who fails to release certified true copies of documents within 24 hours of payment.

In a significant shift, the Act abolishes indirect primaries, retaining only direct and consensus primaries for the nomination of candidates. Political parties are now mandated under Section 77 to maintain a digital register of members, issue membership cards and submit the register to INEC at least 21 days before primaries, congresses or conventions.

Any party that fails to comply will be barred from fielding candidates in the affected election.

“These are indeed consequential restraint measures that will deepen internal democracy and reduce the monetisation of politics in the country,” Bamidele stated.

The Act further reviews upward campaign spending limits. The presidential spending cap rises from ₦5 billion to ₦10 billion; governorship from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion; Senate from ₦1 billion to ₦500 million; House of Representatives from ₦70 million to ₦250 million; House of Assembly from ₦30 million to ₦100 million; Area Council from ₦30 million to ₦60 million; and councillorship from ₦5 million to ₦10 million.

Stricter penalties for electoral offences are also introduced. Under Section 125, vote buying, impersonation and result manipulation attract a two-year imprisonment or fines ranging between ₦500,000 and ₦2 million, or both.

Additional provisions mandate support mechanisms for persons with visual impairment, gender-sensitive queue arrangements where culturally required and a ₦10 million fine for political parties that fail to submit accurate audited returns within stipulated timelines.

Summing up the reforms, Bamidele said: “The Electoral Act, 2026 represents a consolidation and refinement of the country’s electoral governance framework. In all, the Act seeks to enhance electoral credibility, reduce disputes, and strengthen democratic governance in Nigeria.

“The Act emphasises financial and operational independence of INEC; technological integration with procedural safeguards; transparency in collation and declaration; stricter penalties for electoral offences and stronger regulation of political parties.”

With the 2027 polls on the horizon, lawmakers argue that the new framework lays a firmer legal foundation for credible, technology-driven and accountable elections.