Electoral Act 2026 Amendment: Senate Advances Reform Bill

The Nigerian Senate has advanced a bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2026, reopening legislative consideration of some rules governing the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill, 2026, sponsored by Senator Bako Lalong, representing Plateau South, passed second reading in the Senate on May 7, 2026, according to records of Senate proceedings.

The development comes only months after the Electoral Act 2026 was enacted to replace the 2022 law. The National Assembly’s official records list the 2026 Act as the legislation regulating federal, state and Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections.

What the Senate is considering

The latest bill is an amendment to an electoral law that has already come into force, rather than a replacement for the entire electoral framework.

This distinction is important because the 2026 Act introduced several changes to the administration of elections, including provisions concerning electronic transmission of polling-unit results, voter registration, party primaries, campaign finance, accessibility and election-related litigation.

The Senate’s consideration of further amendments means some provisions of the recently enacted law remain subject to legislative review.

The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) lists a Senate committee report on a bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2026 to provide for jurisdiction over pre-election matters. The report identifies the measure as SB. 1035.

Why pre-election disputes are part of the debate

Pre-election litigation is an important part of Nigeria’s electoral process because disputes can arise before voters cast their ballots.

Questions over which courts have jurisdiction and how such cases should proceed can affect candidates, political parties and the timetable surrounding elections.

PLAC reported earlier in 2026 that the National Assembly had passed amendments dealing with pre-election litigation, with the Senate approving the measure on May 7 after the House of Representatives had considered it on April 29.

The amendment process therefore involves not only how votes are cast and transmitted, but also how disputes arising before elections are handled through the courts.

The 2026 Electoral Act already changed election rules

The new Electoral Act was signed into law on February 18, 2026, replacing the Electoral Act 2022.

One of its notable provisions concerns electronic transmission of polling-unit results.

The legislation provides for electronic transmission of results from polling units and recognises the INEC Results Viewing Portal, commonly known as IReV, within the statutory framework.

The issue had been the subject of legislative disagreement during consideration of the earlier Electoral Bill.

A PLAC factsheet published during that process documented differences between the approaches initially taken by the two chambers on electronic transmission of results.

The eventual enactment of the 2026 law settled the matter in legislation, but subsequent amendments show that electoral rules remain under legislative review.

Senate and House must still complete the legislative process

Passing a bill at second reading does not make it law.

Under the National Assembly’s legislative process, a bill proceeds through stages including second reading, committee consideration, third reading and passage. Where applicable, legislation passed by both chambers then proceeds through the constitutional process for presidential assent.

The Senate’s action on the Electoral Act amendment therefore represents an advancing stage of legislative consideration rather than a completed change to Nigeria’s electoral law.

The bill must go through the remaining stages before any proposed amendment can take effect.

Electoral reform remains a major legislative issue

The latest amendment is part of a broader period of electoral and constitutional reform at the National Assembly.

The Senate’s Constitution Review Committee currently lists electoral reforms among the areas under consideration, alongside issues including devolution of powers, fiscal reforms, judicial reforms, local government reforms and institutional reforms.

The National Assembly has also been working on wider constitutional amendments. In September 2026, it transmitted the 1999 Constitution Sixth Alteration Bill, 2026, to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration.

Some of the constitutional proposals touch on issues relevant to Nigeria’s political and electoral system, although constitutional alteration and amendment of the Electoral Act are separate legislative processes.

What happens next

The immediate issue for the Electoral Act amendment is whether the bill will successfully complete the remaining stages of consideration in the Senate and House of Representatives.

If passed in the required form and assented to where presidential assent is required, the amendments could modify aspects of the electoral framework before the 2027 elections.

For voters, political parties, candidates and election officials, the important point is that Nigeria’s electoral rules are still being adjusted even after the enactment of the 2026 Electoral Act.

The final effect will depend on the exact provisions ultimately approved by the National Assembly and signed into law.

As the 2027 election cycle approaches, further legislative changes will therefore remain an important area to monitor.