Nigeria’s National Assembly has proposed moving the 2027 general elections to November 2026, six months earlier than the usual schedule. The adjustment is part of sweeping reforms contained in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, unveiled on Monday during a joint public hearing of the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters in Abuja.
According to the draft amendment, presidential and governorship elections “shall be held not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.” This means the next general elections would likely be conducted in November 2026, allowing sufficient time to resolve all election petitions before the May 29, 2027 handover date.
Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, said the move aims to ensure that “all manner of election litigations are dispensed with before the swearing-in of winners.”
He added that the National Assembly plans to amend Sections 285 and 139 of the 1999 Constitution to shorten litigation timelines — reducing tribunal judgments from 180 to 90 days, appeal decisions from 90 to 60 days, and ensuring that the entire process does not exceed 185 days.
Early Voting and E-Transmission of Results
The bill also proposes early voting for specific categories of Nigerians, including security personnel, INEC staff, accredited journalists, and election observers, at least 14 days before the main election date.
Significantly, the amendment seeks to make electronic transmission of results mandatory, with stiff penalties for non-compliance. The proposed Section 60(5) mandates presiding officers to transmit results — including total accredited voters — both electronically and manually. Any officer who issues unstamped ballot papers or result sheets could face a ₦1 million fine or one-year imprisonment.
INEC and Stakeholders Back Reforms
Representing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Abdullahi Zuru expressed strong support for the proposed reforms, particularly the adoption of e-transmission and e-voting, describing them as vital to strengthening election credibility and minimizing post-election disputes.
Debate Over Single-Day Elections
Earlier in July, a similar constitutional amendment proposing that all elections be held on the same day in 2027 drew mixed reactions. While opposition parties — PDP, Labour Party, ADC, and NNPP — supported the idea as cost-effective and efficient, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) opposed it, citing possible logistical and security challenges.
The initiative, championed by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, followed nationwide consultations across the six geo-political zones under the House Committee on Constitution Review.
If eventually passed, the reforms could significantly reshape Nigeria’s electoral calendar and procedures, potentially delivering faster, fairer, and more transparent elections ahead of 2027.
