JUST IN: President Tinubu signs Electoral Act 2026 into law

President Bola Tinubu has signed the Electoral Act 2026 into law.

The development marks a significant amendment to Nigeria’s electoral legal framework ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The new law follows the recent passage of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026, by the National Assembly.

The Senate had earlier amended clause 28 of the bill, reducing the notice period for general elections from 360 days to 300 days to prevent a clash with the Ramadan period.

Lawmakers also retained a proviso in clause 60 allowing manual transmission of election results in the event of network failure.

With the president’s assent, the Electoral Act 2026 replaces the 2022 version and introduces changes affecting election timelines, result transmission procedures and administrative processes.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to issue updated guidelines in line with the new law.