Nigeria's National Assembly Amends Electoral Act for 2027

The National Assembly of Nigeria has finalized a comprehensive review of the Electoral Act, marking the fifth amendment since the restoration of democracy in 1999. President Bola Tinubu signed the amended law on February 18, 2026, which aims to guide the electoral process for the upcoming 2027 elections.

Key features of the new law include the introduction of electronic transmission of results, with a fallback to manual transmission in case of difficulties. This amendment addresses concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral process and aims to bridge gaps in the application of electoral laws.

Additionally, the amendment reduces the notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days before the election date, accommodating the Muslim community's concerns regarding the timing of elections during Ramadan. The new law also recognizes two modes for selecting party candidates, eliminating the previous delegate system to prevent manipulation.