By George Ozalla
The National Assembly has proposed that Nigeria’s 2027 general elections be held in November 2026, shifting the electoral calendar by about six months from the usual February–March schedule.
The proposal was disclosed during a joint public hearing by the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters in Abuja, where lawmakers considered amendments to the Electoral Act 2022. The draft bill provides that elections into the offices of the President and State Governors shall be conducted not later than 185 days before the expiration of the current tenure, which ends on May 29, 2027.
If approved, the measure would fix the next general elections for November 2026. Lawmakers said the adjustment is intended to allow all election-related litigations to be concluded before the swearing-in of new leaders.
The bill also seeks to reduce the timeframe for election petition tribunals from 180 to 90 days, while appeals are to be decided within 60 days instead of 90. It introduces early voting for election officials and security personnel, enabling them to cast their ballots up to 14 days before the main election day.
The proposed reform further mandates both electronic and manual transmission of results from polling units and prescribes stiffer penalties for electoral offences.
Supporters believe the changes will enhance the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process and ensure smoother transitions, while critics caution that the move could necessitate constitutional amendments and pose logistical challenges for the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The proposal remains under legislative consideration and will require the concurrence of both chambers and presidential assent to become law.
Since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, general elections have been conducted between February and March, with elected leaders sworn in on May 29. The new legislative push marks one of the most significant attempts by the National Assembly to reform the country’s electoral timetable and improve transition efficiency.
