In a potentially landmark move to fundamentally reshape Nigeria’s democratic process, the National Assembly has proposed a significant acceleration of the electoral calendar, moving the next presidential and governorship elections forward by six months to November 2026.
This core amendment, contained in the draft Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, is primarily driven by the goal of ensuring that all election litigations are definitively concluded before the traditional May 29, 2027, swearing-in date, thereby ending the chaos of leaders governing under a cloud of legal uncertainty.
The legislative shift is stipulated under the proposed Section 4(7), which mandates that elections for the President and state Governors shall be held “not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office.” Applying this timeframe to the May 29, 2027, handover date points directly to late November 2026.
Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, emphasized that the adjustment is specifically designed to guarantee that all election litigations are dispensed with before the swearing-in of winners.
To facilitate this, the bill proposes sweeping judicial reforms, including shortening tribunal judgment deadlines to 90 days (from 180) and appellate court appeals to 60 days.
Beyond the calendar changes, the draft legislation introduces a comprehensive overhaul of the voting machinery, emphasizing technology and transparency.
The amendment to Section 60(5) now mandates the compulsory electronic transmission of results from polling units, a reform that received broad support from INEC and civil society groups.
Other innovations include a provision for early voting for Nigerians on electoral duty (security personnel, INEC staff, etc.), non-compulsory use of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) with approved alternatives, and stiff penalties for electoral offenses, such as the distribution of unstamped ballot papers.
While the overall vision for cleaner, swifter polls garnered significant praise, the speed of the calendar change sparked controversy.
Opposition parties argued that the shift constitutes a “hoodwink” that hands incumbents an unfair advantage, warning that November 2026 is “too early” for opposition parties.
However, proponents maintain that the changes are essential for reducing electoral tension and promoting smoother transitions of power. If adopted and harmonized with constitutional amendments, this legislative package will usher in Nigeria’s earliest general elections in modern history, compelling all political actors to redraw their strategies and potentially strengthening the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy.
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