A coalition of civil society organisations has described the newly signed Electoral Act 2026 as a “missed opportunity for transformative electoral reform,” warning that it “leaves dangerous loopholes unaddressed” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a joint statement issued Thursday in Abuja, the groups — including Yiaga Africa, the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), The Kukah Center, International Press Centre (IPC), Elect Her, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, and TAF Africa — acknowledged the passage of the Electoral Bill 2026 and the presidential assent that repeals and replaces the Electoral Act 2022.
However, the organisations expressed concern over both the substance of the new law and the manner in which it was processed by the National Assembly.
“The Electoral Act 2026 that has now been signed into law is a missed opportunity for the transformative electoral reform that Nigeria requires and that Nigerian citizens deserve,” the statement read.
It added that while the Act preserves some provisions from the 2022 framework, it “leaves dangerous loopholes unaddressed, and introduces new barriers to political participation.”
Concerns Over Legislative Process
The coalition criticised what it described as the speed and opacity surrounding the final stages of the bill’s passage.
According to the groups, the harmonised version of the bill was reportedly adopted via voice vote without prior distribution of the final consolidated text to all lawmakers. They further claimed that some legislators later acknowledged voting based on assurances from leadership rather than reviewing the final legislative language.
“This fundamentally violates the principle of informed legislative consent and weakens parliamentary accountability,” the statement noted.
Debate on critical clauses, particularly provisions relating to real-time electronic transmission of results, was also said to have been curtailed, with late-stage amendments introduced without adequate scrutiny or public engagement.
In the coalition’s view, electoral law “depends not only on its content but on the openness and credibility of the process through which it is enacted.”
Presidential Assent Despite Appeals
The groups disclosed that between the National Assembly’s passage of the bill and presidential assent, they convened protests and public engagements calling for safeguards including guaranteed real-time electronic transmission of results, downloadable voter cards, and retention of established electoral timelines.
They argued that the decision to grant assent without addressing those concerns signals “a troubling prioritization of political expediency over electoral integrity.”
“Electoral reform should be guided by broad consultation and consensus, not compressed timelines and executive finality,” the statement added.
Provisions Welcomed
Despite their reservations, the organisations acknowledged provisions they described as positive developments.
Among them is Section 18, which allows downloadable voter cards from INEC’s website — a move they say could reduce disenfranchisement associated with missing or unissued voter cards.
They also welcomed Section 9, which requires the voter register to be disaggregated by disability type for the first time in Nigeria’s electoral history, describing it as a significant step toward compliance with Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
In addition, enhanced penalties for result falsification under Sections 62 and 71 were commended. Returning officers who deliberately falsify results now face a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine, while presiding officers who fail to sign result sheets face a mandatory three-year prison term.
“These are among the strongest anti-fraud sanctions in Nigeria’s legislative history,” the statement noted.
Areas of Concern
On electronic transmission of results, the coalition pointed to Section 60(3), which mandates electronic transmission but allows physical result forms to serve as the primary source in cases of “communication failure.”
They argued that the term remains undefined and lacks independent verification safeguards.
“There are no consequences for deliberate sabotage disguised as technical failure,” the statement warned.
The groups also criticised revised timelines for electoral activities, noting that the notice period for elections has been reduced from 360 to 300 days, submission of candidates from 180 to 120 days, and INEC’s publication of candidate lists from 150 to 60 days. They said compressed timelines could heighten logistical risks.
Further concerns were raised over Section 65, which restricts activation of election result reviews to reports filed by INEC officials, thereby excluding political parties, candidates, observers and agents from initiating the review process.
In addition, Section 75(6), which imposes a ₦50 million administrative fee for new political party registration, was described as exclusionary and potentially limiting grassroots political participation.
The coalition also faulted Section 84 for limiting party primaries to direct primaries or consensus, arguing that removing the option of indirect primaries reduces flexibility in candidate selection.
Implementation Phase
With the law now in force, the coalition said attention must shift to implementation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Among its immediate recommendations, the groups urged INEC to publish a revised election timetable reflecting the new 300-day notice requirement, issue detailed regulations clarifying IReV transmission procedures, and conduct a nationwide simulation of electronic transmission across all polling units.
Political parties were urged to publicly commit to defending electronic transmission of results, while the National Assembly was called upon to publish the final signed version of the Act.
In conclusion, the coalition acknowledged that while the Electoral Act 2026 is now law, it remains “imperfect” and “incomplete,” and requires vigilant oversight to ensure elections conducted under it are credible and inclusive.