National Assembly Proposes November 2026 Elections to Allow Election Petitions Before May 2027 Handover
STORY WRITTEN BY ZARA OCTOBER 14,2025
The National Assembly has proposed a major amendment to Nigeria’s electoral calendar, suggesting that the 2027 presidential and governorship elections should be conducted in November 2026, instead of the usual February or March.
The proposal, contained in the draft amendment to the 2022 Electoral Act, seeks to ensure that all election petitions are concluded before the May 29 handover date, thereby preventing prolonged legal battles after swearing-in ceremonies.
This development was revealed during a one-day public hearing held on Monday by the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters of the Senate and House of Representatives. The draft amendment also includes several key reforms aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Under Section 4(7) of the proposed bill, “Elections into the offices of the President and Governors shall be held not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.”
By calculation, 185 days before May 29, 2027, falls in late November 2026, meaning the next general elections would take place that month if the proposal is adopted.
Similarly, Section 4(5) proposes that elections into the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly be held not later than 185 days before the dissolution of the respective legislatures.
According to Hon. Adebayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, the amendment seeks to give the judiciary enough time to resolve all election litigations before newly elected leaders are sworn in.
“We are proposing an amendment that shortens the time for election tribunals and appeals,” Balogun explained. “Tribunals will now have 90 days for judgment, appellate courts 60 days, and the Supreme Court 35 days—ensuring that all cases are concluded before inauguration.”
The committee also disclosed plans to amend Sections 76, 116, 132, and 178 of the Constitution, effectively moving the determination of election timelines from the Constitution to the Electoral Act to enhance flexibility in future reviews.
Among other notable proposals are provisions for early voting, electronic voting, and mandatory electronic transmission of election results.
Section 2 of the draft bill introduces early voting for categories such as security personnel, election officials, accredited journalists, observers, and ad-hoc staff—to be conducted no later than 14 days before the main election.
The proposed Section 60(5) mandates the presiding officer at each polling unit to transmit results electronically and manually to the next collation level, while any failure to do so will attract a ₦1 million fine, one-year imprisonment, or both.
Furthermore, the proposal criminalises the distribution of unstamped ballot papers or result sheets, a move aimed at curbing electoral malpractice and ballot fraud.
Stakeholders present at the public hearing—including INEC’s representative, Professor Abdullahi Zuru, civil society groups, and political observers—endorsed the proposal for electronic voting and result transmission, saying it will strengthen electoral credibility and reduce post-election disputes.
Political analysts say the amendments mark a bold step toward reforming Nigeria’s electoral system and preventing the perennial issue of prolonged litigation that often undermines democratic stability.
If passed, the new law could fundamentally reshape Nigeria’s electoral timetable, ensuring a smoother transition of power and reinforcing public trust in future elections.
