The National Assembly has proposed November 2026 as the date for Nigeria’s next general elections under the new Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which also introduces early voting and harsher penalties for electoral misconduct.
One key highlight of the bill is the provision for early voting, allowing security personnel, INEC officials, accredited observers, journalists, and ad-hoc staff to cast their ballots up to 14 days before election day. Lawmakers said the measure would ensure that those on essential duty during elections are not disenfranchised.
The bill also prescribes imprisonment, a ₦1 million fine, or both for any official who issues unstamped or unverified ballot papers or result sheets — a move aimed at curbing electoral malpractice.
The proposals, which received broad support at a public hearing of the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, were endorsed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all 19 registered political parties under the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
INEC’s representative, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, said the reforms would “enhance electoral credibility, allow better planning, and minimise post-election pressure on the courts.”
IPAC’s National Chairman, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, represented by his deputy, Dipo Olayoku, called for same-day elections, mandatory use of technology, and the linking of voter cards to the National Identification Number (NIN) to eliminate multiple registrations.
“Our democracy is too important to be left vulnerable to manipulation and inefficiency,” Olayoku said, urging lawmakers to “rise to the moment and deliver reforms that protect the sanctity of the ballot.”
In a related development, retired Justice Nathaniel Ajileye advocated for the adoption of blockchain technology to ensure transparency and tamper-proof transmission of election results. He argued that blockchain’s decentralised and immutable ledger would “eliminate fears of hacking and result manipulation.”
Also speaking at the public hearing, the Head of Development Cooperation, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Cynthia Rowe, commended Nigeria’s commitment to electoral reform, pledging continued UK support for efforts to strengthen democratic institutions.
“As Nigerians say, if you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together,” she said, praising the collaboration among the legislature, INEC, political parties, civil society, and the media in driving reform.
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