Lawmakers push for presidential, governorship elections to hold in Nov 2026
By Ndukaku Ihe
The National Assembly is proposing that the next presidential and governorship elections be conducted in November 2026, about six months before the end of the current administration’s tenure on May 29, 2027, instead of the traditional February or March timeline.
The proposal, contained in a draft amendment to the 2022 Electoral Act, seeks to ensure that elections into the offices of President and Governor are held not later than 185 days before the expiration of the tenure of incumbents.
Section 4(7) of the proposed amendment states: “Elections into the office of the President and Governor of a State shall be held not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.” By this calculation, the 2027 general election would fall in November 2026.
The draft amendment came to light yesterday, at a one-day public hearing organised by the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters of both chambers of the National Assembly. The lawmakers also proposed similar timelines for elections into the National and State Houses of Assembly, stipulating that such polls be held not later than 185 days before the date each house stands dissolved.
Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, said the proposed shift was designed to address one of Nigeria’s recurring electoral challenges, which is the backlog of litigations after elections.
He stated, “We are proposing this adjustment to allow enough time for all election cases to be concluded before the swearing-in of elected officials.
“To achieve this, we are also proposing to reduce the duration of tribunal and appellate court judgments, so that all election disputes will be resolved within the 185-day window before inauguration.”
He explained that under the proposed review, the time frame for election tribunals to deliver judgments would be reduced from 180 days to 90 days, while appeals at the Appellate Court would be concluded within 60 days, leaving adequate time for the Supreme Court to give its final ruling.
To accommodate the change, the joint committee also proposed amendments to sections 76, 116, 132 and 178 of the 1999 Constitution, effectively transferring the power to determine election timelines from the Constitution to the Electoral Act.
The committee’s draft stated: “Section 28, now section 27 (5–7), was introduced due to the amendments to sections 76, 116, 132 and 178 of the Constitution, which seek to remove the determination of election timelines from the Constitution to the Electoral Act.”
Beyond the proposed shift in election dates, the lawmakers also recommended early voting for certain categories of Nigerians who typically perform essential duties on an election day.
Section (2) of the draft amendment provides that: “There shall be a date set aside for early voting not later than 14 days to the day of the election.”
Those eligible for early voting include security personnel, INEC officials, accredited domestic observers, journalists, and ad hoc staff of the commission.
The amendment also strengthens provisions for electronic transmission of results and electronic voting, responding to calls made by several stakeholders during the public hearing.
Under Section 60(5) of the proposed amendment, presiding officers will be required to transmit results both electronically and manually, including total numbers of accredited voters. It also introduces penalties for non-compliance, stating that any officer who distributes unstamped ballot papers or result sheets would face a one-year jail term, a N1 million fine, or both.
Balogun said the intent is to “further strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s elections by ensuring transparency and accountability in the collation process.”
All stakeholders who made presentations at the public hearing, including representatives of civil society groups and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), also expressed support for the proposed reforms.
Professor Abdullahi Zuru, who represented the electoral body, said INEC was aligned with the National Assembly’s efforts to reform the process.
He said, “The commission welcomes the proposal to hold elections earlier and to ensure all disputes are resolved before swearing-in. It will enhance public confidence and administrative efficiency,” Zuru stated.
Other proposals contained in the draft include the non-compulsory use of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and clearer provisions for electronic voting systems, both of which are aimed at improving voter access and reducing logistical challenges during elections.
