National Assembly election reform proposes moving Nigeria’s 2026 polls to November to ensure petitions end before handover

The National Assembly election reform has taken centre stage as lawmakers propose holding Nigeria’s next presidential and governorship elections in November 2026 six months earlier than usual.

Also read: ‘Dashing reform hopes’ National assembly cuts off electronic transmission of election results

The bold move aims to streamline the nation’s electoral process and ensure that all petitions are resolved before the May 29, 2027, handover.

Unveiled at a public hearing jointly organised by the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters, the proposed Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 seeks to prevent post-election litigation from overlapping into new administrations.

According to the draft, elections into the office of the President and Governors shall now take place “not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of the last holder.”

This adjustment effectively brings the polls to November 2026.

Hon. Adebayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, said the National Assembly election reform is designed to ensure that “all manner of election litigations are dispensed with before the swearing in of winners.”

He disclosed that the legislature intends to amend Sections 285 and 139 of the 1999 Constitution, cutting tribunal judgments from 180 to 90 days and appellate reviews from 90 to 60 days ensuring no petition process exceeds 185 days in total.

Other proposals in the National Assembly election reform include early voting for select groups such as security agents, INEC officials, journalists, and observers, at least two weeks before election day.

A major highlight of the amendment is the mandatory electronic transmission of results, with penalties for non-compliance.

Officers who fail to transmit results electronically or issue unstamped ballot papers may face a one-year jail term or a ₦1 million fine.

Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, representing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), lauded the initiative, calling the reforms a “crucial step toward enhancing electoral credibility and transparency.”

Earlier in July, the National Assembly had considered another reform to conduct all elections on the same day, a proposal that drew mixed reactions from political parties.

Also read: Calls Grow for INEC appointment reforms as yakubu steps down

If implemented, the current National Assembly election reform could reshape Nigeria’s electoral landscape promoting efficiency, reducing costs, and strengthening public trust in the democratic process.