Tinubu Signs Electoral Act 2026 Into Law
The Electoral Act 2026 has been officially signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, marking a major step in Nigeria’s electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
President Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 at the State House in Abuja after the bill was passed by the National Assembly following months of debate and legislative review. The new law replaces the Electoral Act 2022 and introduces updated procedures aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Tinubu emphasized the importance of strengthening democracy through credible elections. He stated that electoral processes must be managed carefully to avoid confusion and voter disenfranchisement.
According to the president, the Electoral Act 2026 is designed to ensure that elections are conducted smoothly while maintaining public confidence in the system.
Tinubu also addressed ongoing debates surrounding electronic transmission of election results. He noted that although technology plays an important role in modern elections, manual voting and result collation will remain central to Nigeria’s electoral process.
He explained that voters will continue to cast ballots manually at polling units, where votes will also be counted manually before results are recorded on official forms. The electronic transmission of results, he said, will serve mainly as a supplementary tool rather than a replacement for manual procedures.
The president stressed the need to prevent technical failures and cyber threats that could undermine election credibility.
He said Nigeria must avoid technical disruptions, interference, and unnecessary hacking that could compromise election outcomes, especially as technology becomes more integrated into the electoral system.
The passage of the Electoral Act 2026 generated intense debate among lawmakers and stakeholders, particularly over the method of transmitting election results. Some lawmakers supported compulsory electronic transmission, while others argued for flexibility in cases of network failure.
During Senate deliberations, disagreements emerged over Clause 60, which addresses the transmission of election results. Opposition lawmakers pushed for stricter provisions on electronic transmission, while the majority supported allowing manual transmission where electronic systems fail.
The Senate eventually approved the clause, allowing manual transmission as a fallback option if electronic transmission cannot be completed.
Similar disagreements were recorded in the House of Representatives, where lawmakers protested the decision to rescind earlier provisions that required compulsory real-time electronic transmission of results.
Despite the controversies, the new law is expected to shape the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
Government officials say the Electoral Act 2026 will help strengthen Nigeria’s democracy by providing clearer procedures and reducing the likelihood of electoral disputes.
Source:
Adapted from Vanguard Nigeria
https://www.vanguardngr.com/
