Nigeria’s 2026 Electoral Act has generated intense national debate following its rapid passage and presidential assent. While some civil society organisations have questioned the speed of its signing, the National Assembly maintains that the law was the product of a two-year consultation process involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, civil society groups, and development partners.
So what exactly has changed?
Below is a breakdown of the key reforms introduced by the new electoral framework and what they mean for elections going forward.
1. Electronic Transmission of Results Now Mandatory
Section 60(3) mandates the electronic transmission of election results from polling units to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
Presiding officers who deliberately frustrate electronic transmission face up to six months’ imprisonment, a ₦500,000 fine, or both.
However, the law allows manual transmission using Form EC8A only if electronic transmission fails due to communication challenges.
What this means: Electronic transmission is no longer discretionary. It is now a legal requirement, aimed at improving transparency in result management.
2. BVAS Compulsory for Voter Accreditation
Section 47 makes the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) or any other technology prescribed by INEC mandatory for voter verification and authentication.
What this means: Technological accreditation is formally entrenched in law, reducing room for manual manipulation.
3. Dedicated Fund Established for INEC
Under Section 3, the Act establishes a dedicated fund for INEC to guarantee financial autonomy and operational stability.
Election funds must be released at least six months before general elections. The provision also expands INEC’s powers to review questionable result declarations made under duress or procedural violations.
What this means: The reform seeks to strengthen INEC’s independence and improve preparation timelines ahead of elections.
4. Two-Year Jail Term for RECs Who Withhold Documents
Section 74(1) requires Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to release certified true copies of requested documents within 24 hours of payment.
Failure to comply attracts a minimum two-year prison sentence without the option of a fine.
What this means: The law introduces strict accountability measures to prevent the withholding of electoral materials, particularly during post-election litigation.
5. Indirect Primaries Scrapped
Unlike the repealed 2022 Electoral Act, the 2026 law recognises only direct and consensus primaries. Indirect primaries have been phased out.
What this means: Political parties can no longer rely on delegate-based primaries. The change is intended to widen participation and reduce the monetisation of delegate systems.
6. Digital Membership Register Now Mandatory
Section 77 requires all political parties to:
- Maintain a digital membership register
- Issue membership cards
- Submit the register to INEC at least 21 days before primaries
Parties are prohibited from using any register other than the one submitted. Failure to comply may disqualify a party from fielding candidates.
What this means: The provision tightens regulation of party primaries and aims to improve internal party democracy.
7. Campaign Spending Limits Increased
The Act significantly raises campaign spending thresholds:
- Presidential election: ₦5bn → ₦10bn
- Governorship: ₦1bn → ₦3bn
- Senate: ₦100m → ₦500m
- House of Representatives: ₦70m → ₦250m
- House of Assembly: ₦30m → ₦100m
What this means: While the law introduces stricter oversight mechanisms, it also adjusts spending ceilings upward, reflecting inflation and the rising cost of campaigns — a move that has drawn mixed reactions.
8. Tougher Penalties for Electoral Offences
Section 125 stiffens penalties for vote buying, impersonation, and result manipulation. Offenders face up to two years in prison, fines ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦2 million, or both.
What this means: The Act reinforces deterrence measures against electoral malpractice.
9. Accessibility and Inclusion Provisions
The law introduces measures to support voters with visual impairments and mandates gender-sensitive queue arrangements in areas where cultural practices require it.
What this means: The framework expands inclusion within the voting process.
The Bigger Picture
According to the National Assembly, the 2026 Electoral Act consolidates technological integration, strengthens institutional independence, and tightens accountability in Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about the speed of its assent and the implications of certain provisions, particularly campaign finance adjustments.
As implementation begins, the true impact of the reforms will likely be tested in the next electoral cycle.