Senate passes Electoral Act 2026

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday passed the third reading of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026, approving changes to election timelines, voter accreditation technology and penalties, while retaining some key provisions of the existing law.

A major point of debate was the electronic transmission of results under Clause 60. Lawmakers rejected a proposal that would have made electronic transmission mandatory, which sought to compel presiding officers to upload polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) in real time after results were signed. 

Instead, the Senate retained the current provision that allows the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine “the manner in which results and accreditation data are transferred.”

On voter identification and accreditation under Clause 47, the Senate formally replaced the use of “smart card readers” with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). However, lawmakers rejected the introduction of electronically generated voter identification, insisting that the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) remains the only valid means of identification at polling units.

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The bill also revises key election timelines. Under Clause 28, the notice of election period was reduced from 360 days to 180 days before an election, while Clause 29 shortens the deadline for submission of candidates’ lists from 180 days to 90 days before a general election.

In addressing offences related to PVCs under Clause 22, the Senate rejected a proposed 10-year jail term for buying or selling voter cards. Instead, it retained the existing two-year imprisonment option and increased the fine from ₦2 million to ₦5 million.

Lawmakers also struck out Clause 142, which would have allowed proof of non-compliance in election petitions using only original or certified documents without oral evidence. The clause was removed to avoid what senators described as unnecessary delays in court proceedings.

On ballot paper inspection under Clause 44, the Senate retained the current procedure, which requires INEC to invite political parties to inspect sample electoral materials at least 20 days before an election. Political parties are also given two days to submit written approval or disapproval of their details on the samples.

With its passage, the amended Electoral Act now moves to the next legislative stage, setting the framework for the conduct of future elections under revised timelines and procedures.