The National Assembly has unveiled sweeping reforms under the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026, introducing mandatory electronic transmission of results, compulsory use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and digital membership registers for political parties, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the legislation as the product of two years of extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, civil society organisations, and development partners.
Bamidele said the new law reflects broad national consensus.
“The making of the new regime is a collective work that involves nearly all critical stakeholders,” he said, noting that recommendations from various partners were incorporated before the bill was forwarded for presidential assent.
The harmonised bill was passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu within 24 hours, a move lawmakers say was necessary to avoid legal uncertainties ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to Bamidele, the Electoral Act 2026 introduces far-reaching structural and technological changes. The law establishes a dedicated INEC Fund, granting the electoral body greater financial autonomy and mandating the release of election funds at least six months before polls. It also makes the use of BVAS or other INEC-approved technology compulsory for voter accreditation by presiding officers. In addition, polling unit results must be transmitted electronically to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), with sanctions for non-compliance. Political parties are now required to maintain verified digital membership registers and submit them to INEC at least 21 days before their primaries.
The Act also strengthens accountability measures to deter electoral malpractice. Resident Electoral Commissioners who withhold critical electoral documents face a two-year jail term. Presiding officers who frustrate the electronic transmission of results risk six months’ imprisonment or a ₦500,000 fine. Offences such as vote buying, impersonation, and result manipulation attract up to two years’ imprisonment or fines ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦2 million. Political parties that fail to submit accurate audited financial returns are liable to a ₦10 million fine.
The new law further reforms the conduct of party primaries by phasing out indirect primaries and restricting political parties to direct or consensus methods, a move aimed at widening participation and curbing delegate inducement.
Campaign spending ceilings have also been significantly revised. The presidential spending limit has been increased from ₦5 billion to ₦10 billion, while the governorship cap rises from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion. For Senate candidates, the limit moves from ₦100 million to ₦500 million, and for House of Representatives candidates, from ₦70 million to ₦250 million.
On inclusion, the legislation introduces measures to improve accessibility, including provisions for queue separation where cultural norms require it and enhanced support mechanisms for visually impaired voters.
Bamidele said the reforms are designed to reinforce transparency, institutional independence, and technological integration in Nigeria’s electoral process.
“The Electoral Act 2026 represents a consolidation and refinement of the country’s electoral governance framework,” he said. “It seeks to enhance electoral credibility, reduce disputes, and strengthen democratic governance in Nigeria.”
The new legal framework is expected to guide preparations for the 2027 general elections and bolster public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic system.
