Nigeria's Tinubu Signs Electoral Act Amendment as INEC Adopts Electronic Result Transmission
President Bola Tinubu has signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law, introducing electronic transmission of results and extending election notification periods to 300 days, as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
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President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in Nigeria's electoral framework just days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the timetable for the 2027 general elections. The legislation introduces electronic transmission of results and extends the mandatory notification period for elections to 300 days, according to Premium Times and The Nation Newspaper.
The National Assembly passed the amendment bill on Tuesday following heated debates that saw disagreements over the scope of electronic transmission provisions. According to The Nation Newspaper, lawmakers rejected proposals for real-time transmission of results, leading to a walkout in the House of Representatives. The final version grants INEC flexibility to adjust election timetables while mandating a 300-day advance notification for elections.
INEC Implements Electronic Transmission for FCT Elections
Hours after the presidential assent, INEC Chairman Prof Joash Amupitan announced that results from the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections would be transmitted electronically. "The results of the FCT Area Council Elections will be transmitted electronically to the INEC," Prof Amupitan stated on Wednesday, as reported by The Nation Newspaper. This marks the first practical application of the new electoral framework and serves as a pilot for the 2027 general elections.
The electronic transmission provision addresses longstanding concerns about result manipulation and delays that have characterized previous Nigerian elections. However, the rejection of real-time transmission suggests lawmakers sought to balance technological advancement with practical implementation concerns, particularly regarding network infrastructure in rural areas. The amended act provides INEC with discretion to determine the timing and methodology of electronic transmission based on technical capacity.
Senate President Defends Legislative Process
Senate President Godswill Akpabio defended the amendment against criticism from civil society organizations and opposition parties who had called for more comprehensive reforms. Akpabio described the new Electoral Act as "a historic and painstaking piece of legislation that reflects the genuine aspirations of Nigerians," according to Channels Television. He added that the National Assembly had "met the aspiration of Nigerians, not few people who make noise," dismissing critics who argued the reforms did not go far enough.
The 300-day notification requirement represents a substantial increase from previous electoral timelines and aims to provide political parties, candidates, and voters with adequate preparation time. This provision could reduce the rushed nature of campaign periods that has historically limited voter education and candidate vetting. The extended timeline also allows INEC to conduct more thorough logistical preparations, including training of ad-hoc staff and distribution of electoral materials.
Regional Context and Implementation Challenges
Nigeria's move toward electronic result transmission aligns with broader trends across West Africa, where countries including Ghana and Sierra Leone have adopted similar technologies. However, Nigeria's size and infrastructure challenges present unique implementation hurdles. The country's 176,846 polling units span diverse terrain, from densely populated urban centers to remote rural communities with limited connectivity.
The timing of the legislation, coming just after INEC released the 2027 election timetable, has raised questions about implementation readiness. Electoral observers and civil society groups will likely scrutinize the FCT Area Council elections as an indicator of INEC's capacity to execute electronic transmission nationwide. The commission must demonstrate that the technology can function reliably across different contexts while maintaining result integrity and transparency.
The amendment's passage without provisions for real-time transmission suggests ongoing tensions between reform advocates seeking maximum transparency and officials concerned about technical feasibility. This compromise approach may face testing during the 2027 elections, when the credibility of Nigeria's democratic processes will be under intense domestic and international scrutiny. The success or failure of electronic transmission in the FCT elections could determine whether additional amendments are pursued before the general elections.