Ademuyiwa Balikis
The National Assembly has proposed that Nigeria’s next presidential and governorship elections be held in November 2026, six months earlier than the traditional February or March date. The proposal is part of ongoing efforts by lawmakers to ensure that all post-election petitions are concluded before the May 29 handover of power.
The plan is contained in a draft Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, presented during a joint public hearing of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters.
Under the proposed amendment, elections into the offices of the President and Governors would take place not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office. This adjustment effectively moves the next general elections to November 2026, instead of the usual early 2027 schedule.
Lawmakers explained that the change aims to address persistent issues in Nigeria’s electoral process, especially the long period of litigation that often extends into the start of a new administration. By bringing elections forward, they said, courts would have enough time to conclude all disputes before the next president and governors are sworn in.
The bill also proposes several other reforms to strengthen the electoral system. These include making electronic transmission of results mandatory, with clear penalties for non-compliance, and introducing early voting for security personnel, INEC staff, accredited observers, and journalists on election duty.
Another major feature of the draft is the removal of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as the only recognized means of identification. Lawmakers argued that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), voters should be able to download or print their voter identification digitally, making the process more flexible.
Supporters of the proposal believe it will deepen Nigeria’s democracy and restore public confidence in the electoral process. They say it would finally end the trend where elected officials begin their terms while their victories are still being challenged in court.
However, the proposal has sparked debate among political actors and stakeholders. Some opposition figures welcome the idea as a reform that could enhance credibility, while others question the feasibility of changing the electoral calendar so close to the next election cycle.
The amendment is still in the draft stage and is undergoing public hearings and committee scrutiny. If approved by both chambers and signed by the President, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would be required to adjust its timetable to reflect the new schedule.
If passed into law, the change would make November 2026 the month Nigerians head to the polls, marking the first time in the Fourth Republic that general elections would hold that early in an electoral cycle.