Nigeria’s next presidential and governorship elections may take place in November 2026, if the latest proposal before the National Assembly is approved. The proposal, unveiled during a public hearing jointly organized by the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters in Abuja on Monday, seeks to move the polls six months earlier than the usual February or March schedule.
Lawmakers say the adjustment is a necessary reform to ensure that all post-election litigations are concluded before the official handover of power on May 29, 2027. The proposal is part of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, which introduces several significant changes aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.
According to the draft amendment, “Elections into the office of the President and Governor of a State shall be held not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.” This effectively shifts the presidential and governorship elections to November 2026, roughly half a year before the expiration of the current administration’s tenure.
The adjustment, lawmakers argue, will create room for the judiciary to handle all election-related petitions without disrupting the constitutional handover timeline. The change is expected to prevent a repeat of situations where courts rule on election petitions long after newly elected leaders have assumed office — a development that has often fueled political instability and public distrust.
Speaking during the public hearing, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, said the reform was born out of the legislature’s commitment to improving the credibility and efficiency of Nigeria’s electoral system. “This proposal is designed to ensure that all manner of election litigations are dispensed with before the swearing in of winners,” Balogun explained.
He further revealed that the National Assembly plans to amend Sections 285 and 139 of the 1999 Constitution to shorten the timelines for election petitions. “We are proposing to reduce tribunal judgments from 180 days to 90 days, appellate court decisions from 90 to 60 days, and ensure that the entire judicial process does not exceed 185 days,” he said. According to him, the reforms will not only ease political tension but also enhance the rule of law by ensuring timely justice.
The amendment bill also introduces early voting for certain categories of Nigerians who are often unable to vote on election day. These include security personnel, INEC staff, accredited journalists, and election observers, who would be allowed to cast their ballots at least 14 days before the main election.
Lawmakers say this reform reflects the need to ensure inclusivity and fairness in the electoral process, allowing those involved in election logistics to exercise their civic rights without compromising their duties. Balogun described it as “a step toward making every vote count,” adding that the reform aligns with international best practices seen in advanced democracies.
One of the most notable provisions of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 is the plan to make electronic transmission of election results mandatory. The proposed Section 60(5) of the bill reads: “The Presiding Officer shall transmit the results, including the total number of accredited voters, to the next level of collation both electronically and manually.”
This, lawmakers say, will close loopholes that have allowed result manipulation in past elections. To enforce compliance, the amendment prescribes penalties for electoral officers who fail to follow due process.
Those found issuing unstamped ballot papers or result sheets could face a one-year jail term or a fine of ₦1 million. The clause is expected to strengthen transparency and restore public confidence in electoral outcomes.
At the hearing, several stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), expressed support for the proposed reforms. Representing the commission, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru praised the move to institutionalize electronic voting and compulsory e-transmission of results, describing it as a game-changer for Nigeria’s democracy.
“These measures will significantly reduce post-election disputes and improve the integrity of our elections,” Zuru said. He also called on the National Assembly to ensure that adequate funding and technical support are provided to enable seamless implementation. Civil society groups present at the hearing echoed INEC’s position, urging lawmakers to prioritize digital transparency and voter confidence in the forthcoming elections.
The new proposal follows mixed reactions to an earlier idea introduced in July to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow all elections to be conducted on the same day in 2027. While major opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) expressed support for the plan, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) rejected it, warning that it could lead to logistical chaos and disenfranchise voters.
That initiative, spearheaded by the House Committee on Constitution Review chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, emerged from extensive consultations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. If eventually passed, it would empower INEC to conduct presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly elections on the same day, a reform touted to drastically reduce costs and limit post-election bandwagon effects.
The proposed shift to November 2026 elections thus forms part of a broader effort by lawmakers to modernize Nigeria’s electoral calendar, enhance efficiency, and restore confidence in the democratic process.