The National Assembly enacts Electoral Act 2026 reforms, boosting INEC independence, tech integration, and penalties ahead of 2027 general elections
The National Assembly has unveiled sweeping reforms in the newly enacted Electoral Act, 2026, aimed at strengthening the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and enhancing election integrity ahead of the 2027 general election.
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The reforms, highlighted on Sunday by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele in Abuja, include a mandatory two-year jail term for any Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) who withholds vital electoral documents and the creation of a dedicated fund to guarantee INEC’s financial autonomy.
Bamidele explained that the law mandates the deployment of a Bimodal Voters Accreditation System, the establishment of an electronic register of voters, and an upward review of campaign spending limits for various elective offices.
The legislation also introduces stricter penalties for electoral offences, including vote-buying, impersonation, and result manipulation, prescribing imprisonment of up to two years or fines ranging from N500,000 to N2 million.
Significant provisions require the electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal, with six-month imprisonment or a N500,000 fine for presiding officers who frustrate this process.
The Act allows conditional use of Form EC8A where electronic transmission fails.
The law phases out indirect primaries, retaining only direct and consensus primaries to broaden participation and curb monetisation of party delegates.
Political parties must maintain a digital register of members, submit it to INEC at least 21 days before primaries, and issue membership cards.
Section 3 establishes a dedicated fund for INEC, ensuring operational stability, financial independence, and timely release of election funds six months before elections.
Bamidele said this would enable the commission to act quickly to review questionable result declarations.
The Act also raises campaign spending limits: presidential campaigns from N5bn to N10bn, governorships from N1bn to N3bn, Senate from N500m to N1bn, House of Representatives from N70m to N250m, House of Assembly from N30m to N100m, Area Council from N30m to N60m, and councillorships from N5m to N10m.
Other reforms include gender-sensitive arrangements at polling units, support for persons with visual impairment, and a N10m fine for political parties that fail to submit accurate audited returns within stipulated deadlines.
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Bamidele described the Electoral Act, 2026, as a consolidation of Nigeria’s electoral governance framework designed to enhance credibility, reduce disputes, and strengthen democratic governance.
