The National Assembly has highlighted key reforms introduced in the Electoral Act 2026, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process and enhancing transparency.
Among the major provisions of the new law are the mandatory electronic transmission of election results and the compulsory use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to improve the credibility of voter accreditation and result collation.
The Act also establishes a dedicated fund for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), designed to enhance the commission’s financial autonomy and operational efficiency.
In addition, the legislation introduces stricter regulations for political parties, with the goal of promoting internal democracy, accountability, and compliance with electoral guidelines.
Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, in a statement released by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs in his office, said the new electoral framework was the product of two years of consultations involving INEC, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), civil society organisations (CSOs), and development partners.
According to him, the National Assembly harmonised versions of the Electoral Bill 2026 passed by both chambers, particularly Clause 60(3), before transmitting it to President Bola Tinubu for assent in order to avert a constitutional crisis ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The President signed the bill into law within 24 hours, completing what lawmakers described as a two-year reform process.
Bamidele explained that Section 3 of the Act establishes a dedicated fund for INEC to guarantee its financial autonomy, operational stability and administrative continuity. The law also mandates the release of election funds at least six months before a general election and expands INEC’s authority to review result declarations made under duress or procedural violations.
Under Section 47, the Act makes it mandatory for presiding officers to use BVAS or any other technological device prescribed by INEC for voter accreditation.
Section 60(3) provides for the compulsory electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), while Section 60(6) prescribes a six-month jail term or a fine of ₦500,000 — or both — for any presiding officer who wilfully frustrates the electronic transmission of results.
The Senate Leader clarified that while IReV enhances transparency, it is not a collation platform. He added that the law permits the use of Form EC8A where electronic transmission fails due to communication challenges.
Bamidele described the Electoral Act 2026 as a consolidation of Nigeria’s electoral governance framework, aimed at strengthening INEC’s independence, enhancing transparency, improving technological integration and reinforcing accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
