Nigeria’s National Assembly has introduced sweeping reforms in the newly enacted Electoral Act, 2026, including a two-year prison term for any Resident Electoral Commissioner who withholds key electoral documents and the creation of a dedicated fund to guarantee the financial autonomy of the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of the 2027 general election.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed the changes Sunday in a statement in Abuja, describing the law as a major overhaul of the country’s electoral framework following two years of legislative consultations.
The reforms come amid criticism from opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, which argue that provisions on primaries, campaign financing and election timelines favor the ruling All Progressives Congress. The presidency and the APC have defended the law as necessary to strengthen electoral integrity.
Bamidele said the new framework mandates the deployment of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System, the creation of an electronic voters register and stricter penalties for electoral misconduct.
Under the law, election funds must be released at least six months before general elections, while INEC is granted broader authority to review disputed results declared under duress or in violation of procedures.
The legislation also makes electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal mandatory. Any presiding officer who deliberately frustrates the process faces up to six months in prison, a fine of 500,000 naira, or both.
In addition, Resident Electoral Commissioners are required to provide certified true copies of requested electoral documents within 24 hours of payment. Failure to comply attracts a minimum two-year prison sentence without the option of a fine.
The law further provides that a certified court order can serve as a basis for swearing in a candidate declared winner by a court if INEC fails to issue a certificate of return.
Penalties for vote-buying, impersonation and result manipulation have also been strengthened, with offenders facing up to two years in prison or fines ranging from 500,000 naira to 2 million naira, or both.
The Act eliminates indirect primaries, retaining only direct and consensus methods, and requires political parties to maintain digital membership registers to be submitted to INEC at least 21 days before primaries.
Campaign spending limits were also increased. The presidential cap was raised from 5 billion naira to 10 billion naira, while governorship limits increased from 1 billion naira to 3 billion naira. Spending caps for legislative and local elections were similarly revised upward.
Other provisions include gender-sensitive voting arrangements in areas where cultural practices require separation, support for visually impaired voters and penalties for parties that fail to submit accurate audited returns.
President Bola Tinubu signed the bill into law within 24 hours of its passage after it was harmonized by both chambers of the National Assembly, including agreement on contentious provisions.
Although some civil society groups questioned the speed of the assent, Bamidele said the process was inclusive and involved key stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations and development partners.
He said the new law is designed to strengthen institutional independence, improve transparency, enhance the use of technology and reinforce accountability in Nigeria’s electoral system.
