National Assembly Abuja
National Assembly is considering a bold shift in the country’s electoral calendar, proposing that the 2027 general elections be held in November 2026—a full six months earlier than the traditional February schedule.
This proposal is embedded in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, unveiled on Monday during a joint public hearing by the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters in Abuja.
The bill according to Channels TV report seeks to repeal the Electoral Act of 2022 and replace it with an updated legal framework tailored to current electoral realities.
The amendment suggests that “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.”
The primary motivation behind the proposed date change is to create room for the completion of all election-related court cases well ahead of the May 29, 2027 handover.
“The above provisions are to ensure that all litigations are concluded before swearing in,” the draft document stated.
However, lawmakers voiced concern that adjusting the date alone may not solve the persistent issue of unresolved court cases.
The joint committee raised a critical question: “In a situation where a rerun is ordered by the Supreme Court at the end of 185 days, can we have vacancy in the office of the President?”
They stressed the need for judicial reforms to accompany the new timeline, ensuring that courts can cope with the increasing volume of election disputes.
If passed, the amendment would see Nigeria hold its presidential and governorship elections in late 2026, making it the earliest general election in the country’s recent democratic history.
*Key Changes: Voter Identification, Candidate Nomination, and Digital Reforms*
Beyond the proposed shift in election dates, the bill introduces a raft of significant changes designed to modernise Nigeria’s electoral process.
One such change targets voter identification. Under the amendment, the use of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) would no longer be compulsory. Instead, identification would rely on digital systems, notably the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
The bill explains: “The use of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) will not be compulsory, since the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) does not recognise the microchip in the PVC.”
Registered voters would be allowed to download and print their voter cards as needed.
This shift, lawmakers argue, could curtail PVC trafficking and fully digitise the voter verification process. The bill references revisions to Sections 18 and 47, as well as the removal of Section 22 from the current Act.
*Candidate nomination timeline tightened*
Another proposed reform would see political parties submit their list of candidates 210 days—about seven months—before election day. Only those who emerge from valid party primaries will be eligible.
The new amendment further allows other parties to legally challenge the nomination process of their rivals. It also streamlines jurisdiction over pre-election matters to courts within the Federal Capital Territory or where the issue originated.
*Constitution amendment on election timelines*
To give these reforms firm legal grounding, lawmakers are also backing a separate bill to amend the 1999 Constitution, transferring the authority to set election timelines from the Constitution to the Electoral Act.
They argue this will provide “more legislative adaptability,” allowing the electoral process to evolve without needing complex constitutional amendments.
Both Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, represented at the hearing, pledged their commitment to a transparent and accountable reform process.
For the amendments to take effect, the bill must be passed by both the Senate and House of Representatives before heading to President Bola Tinubu for assent. Should he sign it into law, INEC will be required to adjust its electoral timetable accordingly.
If approved, Nigeria could head to the polls in November 2026, setting the stage for the earliest general elections in the nation’s modern history.
