The National Assembly has proposed a new bill that would move Nigeria’s next general elections to November 2026—six months earlier than the usual February or March timeline.
The proposal, contained in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, was unveiled on Monday during a joint public hearing of the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters in Abuja. The bill seeks to repeal the Electoral Act 2022 and replace it with a new one that introduces sweeping reforms to the country’s electoral process.
According to the draft, “Elections into the office of the President and Governor of a State shall be held not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.” Lawmakers said the change aims to ensure all election petitions are resolved before the May 29, 2027, handover date. “The above provisions are to ensure that all litigations are concluded before swearing in,” the document added.
However, some legislators cautioned that merely adjusting election dates may not prevent post-election disputes unless the judiciary is adequately empowered to handle the heavy caseload. “In a situation where a rerun is ordered by the Supreme Court at the end of 185 days, can we have a vacancy in the office of the President?” the joint committee queried.
If passed, the amendment would fix Nigeria’s presidential and governorship elections for November 2026, with major new provisions including inmate voting, early diaspora voting, the use of National Identification Numbers (NIN) for voter registration, and mandatory electronic transmission of results.
The bill also proposes to make the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) optional, as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) no longer relies on the PVC microchip. It would allow voters to download and print their cards digitally, a move lawmakers say will reduce voter card trading and make accreditation fully electronic. This reform modifies Sections 18 and 47 and deletes Section 22 of the existing Act.
In addition, political parties will be required to submit their list of candidates at least 210 days before the election, and only candidates who emerge from valid primaries will be recognised. The new draft also empowers candidates from rival parties to challenge nomination processes, while restricting jurisdiction over pre-election matters to the Federal High Court either in Abuja or in the state where the cause of action occurred.
The National Assembly is also considering a corresponding constitutional amendment to transfer the authority for setting election timelines from the Constitution to the Electoral Act. Lawmakers say this will provide greater flexibility to adjust election dates in the future without requiring a constitutional amendment.
Leaders of both chambers have pledged transparency in the review process, assuring Nigerians that the proposed reforms are aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and improving electoral integrity.
Once the bill is passed by both chambers and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will revise its timetable—paving the way for the earliest general elections in Nigeria’s history.