President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the amended Electoral Act, formally signing the revised legislation into law as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
The new law follows months of debate in the National Assembly, particularly around electronic transmission of election results, party primaries, campaign finance limits, and timelines for election petitions. Lawmakers said the amendments were aimed at addressing gaps observed during the 2023 elections and strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.
One of the most debated provisions concerns electronic transmission of results. While the amended Act recognises electronic transmission, it stops short of making it mandatory in all circumstances. Instead, it leaves the mode and procedure of transmission to the discretion of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Critics argue that this retains ambiguity, while supporters say it gives INEC operational flexibility.
The presidency has not released a detailed breakdown of the president’s remarks at the signing, but officials say the approval demonstrates the administration’s commitment to electoral reform ahead of 2027.
Reactions from political parties, civil society organisations and election observers, many of whom have closely followed the amendment process, have been split. For some stakeholders, the key test will be how the law is implemented by INEC and interpreted by the courts in the lead-up to the next general elections.
