Key reforms unveiled in 2026 Electoral Act, says Bamidele
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele yesterday said there were sweeping reforms in the Electoral Act, 2026, describing the legislation as a major overhaul aimed at enhancing transparency, strengthening electoral integrity
- INEC independence strengthened, electoral offences get stiffer sanctions
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele yesterday said there were sweeping reforms in the Electoral Act, 2026, describing the legislation as a major overhaul aimed at enhancing transparency, strengthening electoral integrity and deepening democratic governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He disclosed this in a statement issued by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs.
According to the statement, the Act established a dedicated fund for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), made electronic transmission of results mandatory, prescribed the compulsory use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for accreditation, and require political parties to maintain digital membership registers for primaries.
Senator Bamidele said the law was developed after two years of consultations with stakeholders, including the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), INEC, civil society organisations (CSOs) and development partners.
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He stated that the harmonised bill passed by both chambers was transmitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who assented to it within 24 hours to avert a constitutional crisis ahead of the 2027 polls.
Bamidele said the Act was designed to strengthen institutional independence, improve technological integration, enhance transparency and reinforce accountability in the electoral system.
He noted that Section 3 established a dedicated fund for INEC to guarantee financial autonomy and ensure that election funds were released at least six months before general elections. The provision, he said, would empower the commission to review result declarations made under duress or in violation of procedures.
Section 47, he said, mandates the use of BVAS or any technology prescribed by INEC for voter accreditation, verification and authentication; Section 60(3) made electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) mandatory, while Section 60(6) prescribed a six-month jail term or a N500,000 fine, or both, for presiding officers who deliberately frustrate electronic transmission.
The Act allow for conditional use of Form EC8A where electronic transmission failed due to communication challenges.
Bamidele said Section 72(2) provides that a certified true copy of a court order would suffice for swearing-in where INEC failed to issue a certificate of return. Section 74(1) requires Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) to release certified true copies of documents within 24 hours of payment, with a minimum two-year jail term prescribed for non-compliance.
The law repealed the 2022 Electoral Act and recognised only direct and consensus primaries, abolishing indirect primaries. Section 77 mandates political parties to maintain digital membership registers and submit them to INEC at least 21 days before primaries, congresses or conventions, or risk being barred from fielding candidates.
Campaign spending limits
were revised upward, with the presidential cap increased from ₦5 billion to ₦10 billion, governorship from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion, Senate from ₦100 million to ₦500 million, House of Representatives from ₦70 million to ₦250 million, House of Assembly from ₦30 million to ₦100 million, Area Council from ₦30 million to ₦60 million, and councillorship from ₦5 million to ₦10 million.
Penalties for vote buying, impersonation and result manipulation were stiffened, with offenders liable to two years’ imprisonment or fines ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦2 million, or both. Section 49 mandates gender-separated queues where culturally required, while Section 54 provides support for persons with visual impairment.
Section 93(4) imposes a ₦10 million fine on any political party that failed to submit accurate audited financial returns within the stipulated period.
Bamidele described the Act as a consolidation and refinement of Nigeria’s electoral framework, expressing optimism that the reforms would enhance electoral credibility, reduce disputes and strengthen democratic governance.
