NASS Reduces 2027 Election Notice by 60 Days

On Tuesday, the National Assembly passed a hybrid Electoral Act Bill, reducing the election notice period for the 2027 general elections by 60 days to avoid overlap with Ramadan. The new timeline allows the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections outside the Ramadan fasting period.

The notice period was cut from 360 days to 300 days, providing INEC with a 60-day window to reschedule the elections. The presidential election is set for February 20, 2026, and the governorship elections for March 6, 2026.

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele of Ekiti Central initiated the motion for this amendment after reviewing the earlier bill, which had a 360-day notice requirement that could adversely affect voter turnout. The bill faced scrutiny, particularly regarding Clause 60, which was opposed by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who called for a division against real-time electronic transmission of election results.

The Senate ultimately supported the bill with a vote of 55 in favor and 15 against.