Anxiety is rising over Nigeria’s 2027 general elections as the National Assembly delays concluding work on the amendment of the Electoral Act. The House of Representatives’ decision to step down consideration of the bill has triggered concern among opposition parties, legal experts, and civil society groups who fear disruptions to the country’s tightly regulated electoral calendar.
Under the 2022 Electoral Act, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must issue a notice of election at least 360 days before polling day. If the presidential election is scheduled for February 20, 2027, INEC must publish this notice by February 24, 2026. Any delay in passing an amended law would make it impossible to implement many of the proposed reforms in time for 2027.
The proposed amendments include ambitious reforms such as mandatory electronic transmission of results, early voting for security personnel, diaspora voting, conducting all elections in a single day, and resolving election disputes before swearing-in. However, without a revised legal framework, these ideas remain impractical and legally unenforceable.
While the Senate has set up an ad hoc committee to fast-track deliberations, the suspension of debate in the House and a two-week recess for the 2026 budget defence risk pushing the reforms further down the legislative calendar. Parties like the ADC have alleged deliberate stalling, warning that delays could undermine the credibility of the upcoming elections.
Legal experts and INEC have cautioned that prolonged uncertainty could trigger pre-election litigation and complicate logistical planning. As time runs short, stakeholders are urging lawmakers to act swiftly, transparently, and in a bipartisan manner to safeguard public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
