By James Adamu
In a move that could fundamentally reshape Nigeria’s electoral calendar, the National Assembly has unveiled a sweeping proposal to shift the 2027 presidential and governorship elections to November 2026.
This plan, a central part of the draft amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act, aims to create a definitive conclusion to all election litigations before the swearing-in of new officials on May 29, 2027.
The proposed change is anchored in Section 4(7) of the new amendment, which stipulates that “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.”
A simple calculation from the constitutionally mandated handover date of May 29, 2027, places this new election date firmly in November 2026—a full six months earlier than the traditional February or March timeline.
Lawmakers argue that this adjustment is crucial for political stability. The current system often sees governors and presidents sworn into office while their victories are still being contested in court, creating a cloud of uncertainty over their administrations.
“The goal is to ensure that all manner of election litigations are dispensed with before the swearing-in of winners,” stated Adebayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, during a joint public hearing on Monday.
To make this compressed timeline feasible, the committee has also proposed a radical reduction in the period allowed for election tribunals to deliver judgments—from 180 days down to just 90 days.
The appellate court would have 90 days, and the Supreme Court 60 days, ensuring the entire legal process does not exceed the 185-day window.
The proposed election date shift is not the only significant change on the table. The draft bill represents a comprehensive package of electoral reforms. It includes provisions for early voting, a first in Nigeria’s electoral history.
Section 2 of the draft bill provides that “there shall be a date set aside for early voting not later than 14 days before the day of the election.” This facility would be available to security personnel, INEC officials, accredited observers, journalists, and ad hoc staff.
Furthermore, the amendments seek to entrench technology deeper into the electoral process. Section 60(5) mandates the electronic transmission of election results, requiring presiding officers to transmit results “both electronically and manually.” In a move that could simplify voting, the draft also makes the use of Permanent Voter Cards non-compulsory, though the specifics of any alternative are not yet detailed.
This proposal follows a similar initiative from July, where lawmakers began pushing for constitutional amendments to consolidate all elections—Presidential, Governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly—into a single day. The new draft reinforces this, with Section 4(5) providing that legislative elections shall also be held “not later than 185 days before the date on which each of the houses stands dissolved.”
While the proposal has received backing from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which views it as a step toward greater transparency, its passage is likely to spark intense debate. The move to reschedule the high-stakes polls represents one of the most significant potential changes to Nigeria’s democratic process in recent years, with implications for campaigning, party primaries, and the nation’s political rhythm.
As the draft amendment moves through the legislative process, its journey will be closely watched by all stakeholders in Nigeria’s democracy.
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