Senate Amends Electoral Law for 2027 Elections Timetable

On Tuesday, the Nigerian Senate amended the electoral law, enabling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to modify the election timetable in consideration of the Ramadan fast. Senate Leader Bamidele Michael Opeyemi from Ekiti Central introduced a motion to rescind and recommit the Electoral Act 2022, leading to the repeal and enactment of a new bill for 2026.

The amendment stipulates that the notice for elections must be published no later than 300 days before the elections. The presidential election is set for February 20, 2027, while the governorship and state assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027.

The Senate also amended a clause to allow for electronic and manual transmission of election results, with 55 senators voting in favor of this provision. Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe from Abia South called for the amendment, which was supported by 15 lawmakers who urged the adoption of an earlier version from the House of Representatives.