National Assembly Moves to Hold 2027 Elections in November 2026

Nigeria’s National Assembly is proposing to move the country’s next general elections to November 2026, six months earlier than the usual February date, as part of wide-ranging reforms in the new Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025.

The proposed law, presented on Monday at a joint public hearing by the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters in Abuja, seeks to repeal the 2022 Electoral Act and replace it with an updated version that aligns with the realities of Nigeria’s evolving democracy.

Early Polls to Prevent Post-Election Delays

At the heart of the proposal is a new provision mandating that presidential and governorship elections be held at least 185 days before the expiration of an incumbent’s term. Lawmakers say this would allow enough time for all petitions and litigations to be resolved before the May 29, 2027, handover date.

The committees explained that the shift would address one of the most pressing challenges of Nigeria’s electoral process, prolonged court cases that often linger well into a new administration’s tenure. However, they acknowledged that the reform would only be effective if the judiciary is strengthened to manage the growing volume of election-related cases swiftly and efficiently.

If passed, the amendment would set Nigeria’s presidential and governorship elections for November 2026, marking the earliest general elections in the country’s recent history.

Inmate, Diaspora Voting and Digital Verification

Beyond election dates, the bill also proposes bold reforms to expand participation and modernise voter verification. Among the highlights are provisions for inmate voting, early diaspora participation, and the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) for voter registration.

One key change would make the use of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) optional, as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) already verifies voters biometrically. The amendment would allow registered voters to download and print their voter cards when needed, reducing the risk of PVC trading and making identification fully digital.

Lawmakers say these changes align with updates to Sections 18 and 47 of the existing Act while deleting Section 22 entirely.

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Earlier Submission of Candidates’ Lists

Political parties would also face new timelines under the proposed reforms. The bill requires all parties to submit their list of candidates at least 210 days before an election — far earlier than in previous cycles. Only candidates who emerge from validly conducted primaries would be recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In addition, the amendment allows candidates from other parties to challenge rival nominations, while restricting pre-election cases to the jurisdiction where the issue occurred or to the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Next Steps for Approval

To give legal backing to these reforms, lawmakers are also proposing a constitutional amendment to transfer the power to determine election timelines from the Constitution to the Electoral Act. They argue that this shift would give the legislature greater flexibility to make timely adjustments without requiring lengthy constitutional procedures.

Both the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives have pledged transparency and accountability as deliberations continue.

If the bill is passed by both chambers and signed by President Bola Tinubu, INEC would be required to adjust its timetable accordingly — setting Nigeria on course for an earlier, and potentially smoother, general election in 2026.