In a significant move aimed at deepening Nigeria’s democratic process, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 into law, ushering in a series of major reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the development, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan highlighted seven critical amendments that citizens must take note of, describing the reform as a decisive step toward greater transparency, efficiency, and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Seven Major Changes in the New Electoral Law
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Streamlined Voter Registration Requirements
Documents required for voter registration have been reduced to three:- Birth Certificate
- Nigerian Passport
- National Identification Number (NIN)
This move simplifies the registration process and aims to make participation more accessible to eligible voters.
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Downloadable Voter Cards
Voters can now download their voter cards directly from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) website, enhancing convenience and digital accessibility. -
Compulsory Electronic Transmission of Results
Electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) is now mandatory.
However, in the event of network failure, Form EC8A (physical result sheet) becomes the primary source for collation and declaration of results, as provided in Section 60(3). -
Revised Mode of Party Primaries
Political parties are now limited to Direct Primaries and Consensus as the only approved methods for nominating candidates, a reform designed to strengthen internal party democracy. -
Revised Election Fund Disbursement Timeline
Election funds must now be released to INEC at least six months before the general election, compared to the previous twelve-month requirement. -
Earlier Submission of Candidates’ List
Political parties must submit their list of candidates 120 days before election day, reduced from the previous 180 days. -
INEC’s Publication Deadline
INEC is now required to publish the final list of candidates 60 days before the election, instead of 150 days as previously stipulated.
Call for Vigilance and Accountability
While commending both the National Assembly and the Presidency for their roles in passing and assenting to the bill, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized that the responsibility now rests heavily on INEC and Nigerian citizens.
She urged citizens to ensure that INEC:
- Strictly complies with the law and treats all political parties and candidates fairly.
- Effectively deploys technology for voter accreditation and real-time result transmission.
- Ensures timely logistics and efficient distribution of election materials.
- Protects the integrity of the voters’ register.
- Works with security agencies to guarantee peaceful and violence-free elections.
- Promptly uploads and publishes results to strengthen public trust.
Demand for Financial Transparency
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also called on Nigerians to closely monitor the proposed ₦873 billion election budget for 2027, urging citizens to “follow the money” and demand accountability for every kobo spent.
She further encouraged scrutiny of the quality of BVAS machines, improvements in BVAS and IReV software systems, and exploration of reliable nationwide network partnerships—such as leveraging satellite internet services like Starlink—to ensure seamless coverage across Nigeria’s 177,000 polling units during election week.
Upholding Democratic Rights
The Senator reminded Nigerians that laws are dynamic and can be challenged in court if necessary.
“Ultimately, Nigerians are the true government, and every institution is accountable to the people. Citizens who are dissatisfied with any or all of the amendments have the constitutional right to seek judicial interpretation,” she stated.
With the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 now in force, attention turns to implementation—an essential phase that will determine whether these reforms translate into credible, transparent, and trusted elections in 2027.