The National Assembly has highlighted key reforms in the recently signed 2026 Electoral Act, emphasizing mandatory electronic transmission of election results, creation of a dedicated fund for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the phasing out of indirect primaries in political parties.
In a statement released on Sunday by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Office of the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele outlined how the legislative arm engaged diverse stakeholders—including the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), INEC, civil society organizations (CSOs), and development partners—over a two-year period before the law was enacted and subsequently signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The making of the new regime is a collective work that involves nearly all critical stakeholders. The National Assembly worked with the AGF, CSOs, INEC, and development partners, among others, before we eventually completed the process,” Bamidele said, noting that all inputs were incorporated into the Act.
The Senate leader explained that the 2026 Act introduces measures designed to strengthen electoral credibility, reduce disputes, and enhance democratic governance. Among the most significant provisions:
- Mandatory electronic transmission of results: Section 60(3) requires all presiding officers to electronically transmit polling unit results to INEC’s Results Viewing Portal (IReV), while Section 60(6) provides penalties of six months’ imprisonment or fines for willful obstruction of the process. The law also allows for Form EC8A as a backup if electronic transmission fails due to technical issues.
- Dedicated INEC fund: Section 3 establishes a fund to guarantee the commission’s financial autonomy, operational stability, and administrative continuity, including early release of election funds at least six months before general elections.
- Scrapping indirect primaries: Sections 77 and 84 now mandate direct or consensus primaries as the only methods for electing candidates for elective offices. Political parties are also required to maintain a digital register of members, submit it to INEC 21 days before primaries, and cannot use alternative registers for the selection of candidates.
The Act also provides stricter measures against electoral malpractices. Section 125 stipulates penalties for vote buying, impersonation, and result manipulation, recommending up to two years’ imprisonment or fines ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦2 million.
Additionally, Sections 47 and 72 outline the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for accreditation and procedures for swearing-in candidates where INEC fails to issue certificates of return.
Bamidele further explained that the 2026 legislation raises spending limits for campaigns across offices, including ₦10 billion for presidential contests, ₦3 billion for governorship, and ₦60 million for Area Council elections, aiming to align with inflation and practical campaign realities.
“The Act seeks to enhance transparency in collation and declaration, reinforce accountability mechanisms, and strengthen INEC’s institutional independence,” Bamidele added. “It represents a consolidation and refinement of the country’s electoral governance framework, ensuring technological integration while enforcing strict procedural safeguards.”
The National Assembly maintains that the comprehensive stakeholder engagement and integration of feedback into the 2026 Electoral Act ensures it provides a more credible, transparent, and efficient framework for the conduct of elections, particularly as the nation prepares for the 2027 general elections.