Nigeria’s election calendar is set for a dramatic overhaul as the National Assembly proposes shifting the 2027 presidential and governorship polls to November 2026, six months before the current administration’s tenure ends.
The proposal, contained in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, seeks to ensure that all election disputes are resolved before the next swearing-in on May 29, 2027. It aims to end the long-standing problem of court cases lingering into new administrations.
Unveiled at a public hearing in Abuja by the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters, the draft law has already drawn keen interest from politicians, civil society, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Under Section 4(7) of the proposed bill, presidential and governorship polls must hold no later than 185 days before the expiration of an incumbent’s tenure — pointing squarely to November 2026. A similar rule will apply to National and State Assembly elections for a harmonised schedule nationwide.
Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, said the goal is to guarantee that every election petition is concluded before winners assume office.
“We’re ensuring that tribunal judgments, appeals, and Supreme Court decisions are finalised within 185 days,” he explained.
The amendment will also trigger changes to Sections 285 and 139 of the 1999 Constitution, which define the legal timelines for election disputes.
Beyond the date shift, lawmakers are pushing for mandatory electronic voting and electronic transmission of results, long demanded by electoral stakeholders. According to Section 60(5) of the bill, presiding officers must transmit results both electronically and manually, with non-compliance attracting up to one year in prison or a ₦1 million fine.
Another innovation is early voting for INEC officials, security agents, journalists, and accredited observers — allowing them to cast their votes up to 14 days before election day. This ensures that those working during the polls don’t lose their right to vote.
INEC’s representative, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, endorsed the reforms, describing them as a “game-changer” that would improve planning, credibility, and reduce post-election legal pressure.
Civil society groups and political parties have also hailed the proposals as “bold and timely,” saying they could restore trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
If passed, the reforms would not only reset Nigeria’s political timetable but could also redefine how elections are conducted — creating space for credible polls, timely justice, and smoother transitions.
“It’s more than a date change,” one participant at the hearing said. “It’s about delivering elections Nigerians can finally trust.”
