By Muhammad Mamman
The National Assembly has proposed sweeping amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, introducing early voting and mandating that election results be transmitted both electronically and manually.
Under the draft bill, the use of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would become optional, while Section 2 introduces a new provision for early voting — to be held no later than 14 days before election day. Eligible groups include security personnel, electoral officials, accredited observers, journalists, and temporary staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Section 60(5) of the proposed amendment stipulates that presiding officers must transmit election results and the number of accredited voters to the next collation level “both electronically and manually,” ensuring transparency and redundancy in result management.
The draft also seeks to move general elections forward by about six months, meaning presidential and governorship polls would hold in November 2026 instead of the usual February or March. The change aims to ensure all pre- and post-election legal disputes are resolved before the handover date of 29 May 2027.
Section 4(7) of the proposed amendment provides that elections for the President and Governors must be held at least 185 days before the expiration of the current term, while Section 4(5) extends the same timeline to National and State Assembly elections.
Lawmakers explained that the adjustment would end the practice of inaugurating officials whose victories remain under legal contest. At a joint public hearing on Monday, House Committee on Electoral Matters Chairman, Adebayo Balogun, said the reform would provide enough time for courts to conclude election petitions. The committee also proposed reducing the tribunal judgment period from 180 days to 90 days.
The bill further introduces penalties for failure to comply with its provisions.
While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has endorsed the proposals, describing them as a step toward greater transparency and efficiency, opposition parties remain divided, questioning the timing and motive behind the changes.
If passed, the amendment would mark one of the most significant overhauls of Nigeria’s electoral framework in recent years, with potential to reshape how elections are conducted and contested nationwide.
