Senate revises Electoral Act 2026 to adjust 2027 election dates, address clashes with Ramadan and Lent, and allow electronic result transmission

To prevent potential clashes between the 2027 general elections and major religious observances, the Nigerian Senate reopened debate on the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2026 on Tuesday.

The bill, previously passed, was rescinded and recommitted to the Committee of the Whole for amendments.

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The review followed consultations between the National Assembly leadership and INEC, which had scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 2027.

Concerns arose that the proposed election dates overlapped with Ramadan and the Christian Lenten season.

Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele explained that amendments were necessary to allow INEC to adjust its timetable while adhering to statutory notice requirements.

He emphasized that the adjustments were aimed at inclusiveness, fairness, and broad participation, not political bias.

In addition to faith-related concerns, a technical review revealed inconsistencies and drafting errors in multiple clauses, which were corrected by a harmonization committee comprising leadership of both chambers, conference committee members, clerks, and legal experts.

Clause 28 was revised to require INEC to publish election notices at least 300 days before the election, instead of the previous 360 days.

This amendment allows the 2027 elections to be scheduled between December 2026 and January 2027.

The plenary grew heated over electronic transmission of results. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe challenged a proviso allowing presiding officers to take hard copies (Form EC8A) to the next collation centre if internet transmission fails.

After a division vote, 55 senators supported the proviso while 15 opposed it, allowing electronic transmission to remain the primary collation method, with manual backups where necessary.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised the process as a demonstration of democracy and innovation.

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The amended bill was subsequently passed for third reading, formally adopted, and is set to guide a smoother and more inclusive 2027 election process.