In a significant development, the Nigerian National Assembly has proposed November 2026 as the new date for the 2027 presidential and governorship elections, shifting the timeline from the usual February or March of the election year. This proposal is part of the ongoing amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act, which were discussed during a public hearing held by the joint committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Electoral Matters.
The key proposal suggests that the elections for the office of the President and the Governor of each state should take place no later than 185 days before the expiration of the incumbent’s term, which is set to end on May 29, 2027. The 185-day period will result in elections being held in November 2026. Specifically, calculations show that the 180-day period between May 28, 2027, and December 1, 2026, fits perfectly with the suggested timeline.
“We want to ensure that the election process is concluded well in advance, giving enough time to resolve any litigation before the new leaders are sworn in,” stated Hon. Adebayo Balogun, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters. According to him, the proposed change is aimed at addressing the need for timely resolutions of election-related disputes. He emphasized that the amendment would also speed up the judicial process by reducing the time allocated for tribunal judgments and appeals, ensuring that no case exceeds the 185-day window.
In addition to the shift in election dates, the proposed amendments include a series of other measures to strengthen the electoral process. Notably, the amendments advocate for early voting, allowing certain categories of Nigerians, such as security personnel, journalists, election officials, and accredited observers, to vote up to 14 days before the main election day.
The amendments also include a mandatory requirement for electronic transmission of election results, with severe penalties for election officers who fail to comply. “The Presiding Officer must transmit the election results electronically and manually, including the number of accredited voters,” the draft bill states. Officers who distribute unstamped ballot papers or fail to transmit results properly will face a fine of N1 million or a one-year jail sentence.
The proposed changes aim to ensure that the election results are transmitted securely and transparently, and that the entire electoral process is streamlined and efficient. Professor Abdullahi Zuru, a representative from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), along with other stakeholders who attended the public hearing, expressed their full support for these proposed amendments.
The National Assembly’s efforts to amend the Electoral Act also include a call for the removal of certain provisions from the Constitution, with an aim to centralize election timelines in the Electoral Act itself. If these proposals are adopted, they could mark a significant shift in the way elections are conducted in Nigeria, providing clearer and more predictable timelines while also addressing long-standing concerns over election disputes and delays.
