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From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
For a country where elections often trigger mixed measures of hope, distrust and anxiety, the signing of the Electoral Act 2026 marks more than just a legislative milestone.
An insightful and unbiased look beyond the controversy over real-time transmission of election results, Daily Sun gathered, signals a deliberate effort by the National Assembly to confront the structural weaknesses exposed in recent electoral cycles and restore credibility to Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of 2027.
From the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) under the Electoral Act 2022 to the controversies that trailed the 2023 general election, Nigeria’s electoral journey has been defined by reform, resistance and recalibration. The 2026 Act is the latest chapter in that evolution but this time lawmakers insist it is not merely an amendment exercise. It is, in their words, a consolidation of experience.
In his summation of the amendments approved by the National Assembly, Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele described the new law as “a collective work that involves nearly all critical stakeholders,” noting that both Houses engaged the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, INEC, civil society organisations and development partners for nearly two years before its eventual passage.
“As we were making progress, the stakeholders too were making their input, and all the inputs were incorporated in the Act,” Bamidele said. “Its outcome is not a unilateral effort of the parliament, but of Nigerians at large.”
That assertion speaks to the central theme of the 2026 reforms: partnership, institutional strengthening and proactive correction of past failures.
From 2022 to 2026: Why Another Reform?
The Electoral Act 2022 was widely hailed as Nigeria’s most progressive electoral legislation since 1999. This is so because it introduced BVAS for accreditation, provided legal backing for electronic transmission of results and expanded timelines for election petitions. For many Nigerians, it promised a break from the era of manual manipulation and opaque collation.
Yet, the implementation of the 2022 framework during the 2023 elections revealed critical gaps. While BVAS significantly reduced incidents of multiple voting and ghost voters, controversies around electronic transmission of results to INEC’s IReV portal sparked nationwide debate. Questions about funding timelines, operational independence and enforcement of sanctions against erring officials dominated post-election discourse.
Civil society reports observed that while the law was progressive on paper, enforcement mechanisms were either weak or ambiguously framed. INEC itself acknowledged operational challenges, particularly regarding technology deployment and logistics.
It was against this backdrop that the Senate began a comprehensive review of the 2022 Act. According to Bamidele, the objective was not to discard the gains of 2022 but to refine and reinforce them.
“The Electoral Act 2026 represents a consolidation and refinement of the country’s electoral governance framework,” he said. “In all, the Act seeks to enhance electoral credibility, reduce disputes, and strengthen democratic governance in Nigeria.”
Financial Independence: A Game Changer for INEC
One of the most consequential innovations of the 2026 Act is the creation of a dedicated fund for the Independent National Electoral Commission. Under the previous regime, INEC depended largely on annual appropriations and supplementary releases that were sometimes delayed.
Election preparation in Nigeria is logistics-heavy and time-sensitive. Daily Sun learnt that late release of funds often meant compressed training schedules for ad hoc staff, delayed procurement of materials and insufficient voter education campaigns.
The new law, it was gathered, addresses this directly by mandating early release of election funds — at least six months before a general election — through a dedicated statutory framework.
“With this provision alone,” Bamidele explained, “INEC will operate with greater independence and quicker corrective powers. It guarantees financial autonomy, operational stability and administrative continuity.”
Comparatively, the 2022 Act emphasised institutional independence but did not establish a concrete funding mechanism insulated from bureaucratic delays. The 2026 amendment therefore moves from principle to practical enforcement. For the 2027 elections, this could translate into better preparation, more comprehensive voter education and stronger logistical coordination across Nigeria’s 176,000-plus polling units.
Electronic Transmission: From Promise to Enforceable Obligation
Perhaps the most publicised controversy of 2023 revolved around electronic transmission of results. Although the 2022 Act allowed for it, the absence of explicit criminal sanctions for non-compliance weakened enforcement. But the 2026 Act closes that gap.
Section 60(3) now makes electronic transmission mandatory, while Section 60(6) prescribes a six-month imprisonment or a fine of ₦500,000, or both, for any presiding officer who wilfully frustrates the electronic upload of results.
“This provision is consistent with the public demands,” Bamidele noted. “It stipulates a measure of consequence if any presiding officer refuses to electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to IREV. We must equally understand that IREV is not a collation platform. It was designed to enhance transparency.”
The distinction he draws is significant. While IReV enhances transparency, collation remains a separate procedural process. By clarifying this, the senate attempts to reduce public misunderstanding while strengthening compliance.
In comparative terms, the 2022 Act provided a technological pathway; the 2026 Act attaches accountability. For 2027, this could mean greater public trust in the integrity of results uploaded in real time.
Reinforcing BVAS and Voter Accreditation
BVAS was arguably the star innovation of 2023. It curbed overvoting and authenticated voter identity with biometric precision. However, reports of manual fallbacks and inconsistent application prompted calls for clearer legal backing.
The 2026 Act mandates the use of BVAS or any other technological device prescribed by INEC for accreditation. This removes ambiguity and strengthens institutional confidence in biometric verification.
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By reinforcing BVAS, the senate ensures that one of the strongest pillars of the 2022 reforms is preserved and fortified.
For Nigerian elections in 2027, this promises a more credible voter register, reduced manipulation and fewer disputes arising from accreditation irregularities.
Strengthening Electoral Justice
Election disputes are inevitable in any democracy, but delays and procedural bottlenecks often aggravate tensions in Nigeria.
Under the new Act, Resident Electoral Commissioners who fail to release certified true copies of documents within 24 hours of payment face a minimum two-year imprisonment without option of fine.
Bamidele emphasised the importance of this reform: “Section 74 mandates the REC to release the certified true copy of any document within 24 hours after payment has been made. The failure to comply will attract imprisonment.”
Compared to the 2022 Act, which lacked stringent criminal consequences for such delays, the 2026 framework strengthens judicial access and expedites litigation processes. For 2027, faster access to documents could reduce post-election tensions and promote timely adjudication.
Reforming Party Primaries: Deepening Internal Democracy
Another striking departure from the 2022 framework is the restructuring of party primaries. While the earlier Act permitted indirect primaries, often criticised for fostering delegate bribery and elite control, the 2026 law limits parties to direct and consensus primaries. It also mandates digital membership registers to be submitted to INEC 21 days before primaries.
“Any political party that fails to submit the membership register within the stipulated time shall not be eligible to field a candidate,” Bamidele stated. “These are consequential restraint measures that will deepen internal democracy and reduce the monetisation of politics.”
This is perhaps one of the most politically sensitive reforms. Internal party disputes account for a significant portion of Nigeria’s pre-election litigation. By expanding participation and reducing delegate manipulation, the Senate aims to stabilise the pre-election environment.
In comparative analysis, the 2022 Act opened the door for broader participation but retained indirect primaries, which critics say entrenched money politics. The 2026 amendment tightens the framework and enhances transparency. For Nigerian elections in 2027, this could mean fewer imposition claims and stronger grassroots legitimacy for candidates.
But some critics believe that the provision that prevents cross-carpeting after losing out in a primary, is seen as a deliberate strategy to prevent aggrieved members from leaving the ruling party when things do not go their way.
Campaign Finance: Adjusting to Economic Realities
Campaign spending limits under the 2022 Act were widely seen as unrealistic in an inflationary economy. The 2026 Act revises them upward, raising the presidential ceiling to N10 billion and adjusting other offices proportionately. While critics fear that higher limits may encourage spending excesses, lawmakers argue that realistic thresholds promote transparency.
The comparative shift reflects a pragmatic approach: aligning legal provisions with economic realities while maintaining oversight mechanisms. For 2027, this may reduce the culture of hidden financing and improve compliance reporting.
Tougher Sanctions for Electoral Offences
Vote buying, impersonation and result manipulation remain persistent threats. The 2026 Act prescribes up to two years’ imprisonment or fines between N500,000 and N2 million for such offences.
Compared to the 2022 law’s relatively weak enforcement culture, the new framework embeds stronger deterrence.
This is critical for rebuilding public confidence. When electoral crimes carry visible consequences, behaviour changes.
Inclusivity and Voter Experience
Beyond enforcement, the Act introduces measures supporting persons with visual impairment and culturally sensitive queue arrangements. These may appear minor, but they reflect a maturing democracy attentive to inclusion.
Last line
Taken together, pundits believe that the senate’s amendments represent a layered reform strategy. Financial independence empowers INEC. Mandatory electronic transmission strengthens transparency. Reinforced BVAS ensures accreditation integrity. Judicial reforms speed up dispute resolution. Party primary restructuring stabilises pre-election politics. Tougher sanctions deter malpractice.
And Bamidele captured this cumulative ambition succinctly: “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.”
For Nigeria, where electoral credibility shapes economic confidence, political stability and international perception, the 2026 Act could prove decisive.
The true test, however, will lie in implementation. Laws set standards; institutions enforce them; political actors respect or resist them.But for now, the senate has drawn a clear line in the sand. By refining the 2022 gains and correcting its weaknesses, it has provided Nigeria with a stronger legal scaffold for 2027.
