The National Assembly has proposed shifting Nigeria’s next general elections to November 2026, six months earlier than the traditional February date.
The plan, contained in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 presented at a joint Senate and House hearing in Abuja, seeks to repeal the 2022 Act and introduce new electoral reforms.
Lawmakers said the adjustment, which mandates elections to be held no later than 185 days before the end of an incumbent’s term, is intended to ensure all litigation is resolved before the May 2027 handover.
They, however, cautioned that judicial capacity must be strengthened to manage potential rerun cases within the proposed timeline.
The bill also introduces major reforms, including inmate and diaspora voting, compulsory electronic transmission of results, and the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) for voter registration.
It removes the requirement for a Permanent Voter Card, allowing voters to print their cards digitally through the BVAS system.
Lawmakers argued that the reform would curb PVC trading and improve verification.
Other provisions include stricter deadlines for party primaries and a proposal to shift election timeline powers from the Constitution to the Electoral Act for greater flexibility.
The bill must pass both chambers and receive presidential assent before taking effect.