A draft bill to amend Nigeria’s Electoral Act of 2022 introduces significant changes, including mandatory dual transmission of election results, optional use of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and the introduction of early voting.
The proposed reforms aim to enhance transparency, streamline electoral processes, and resolve legal disputes before the May 29, 2027, handover date.
The bill mandates that election results be transmitted both electronically and manually to ensure accuracy and accountability.
Section 60(5) of the draft specifies, “The presiding officer shall transmit the results, including the total number of accredited voters, to the next level of collation both electronically and manually.”
Additionally, the proposal makes PVCs optional, potentially broadening voter access but sparking debate over verification concerns.
A key feature is the introduction of early voting, outlined in Section 2, which designates a specific date for early voting no later than 14 days before election day.
Eligible early voters include security personnel, electoral commission officials, accredited observers, journalists, and temporary commission staff, addressing their availability constraints on election day.
The amendment also proposes shifting the presidential, governorship, and legislative elections forward by approximately six months to November 2026, instead of the traditional February or March timeline.
Section 4(7) states, “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.”
Similarly, Section 4(5) mandates that elections for state assemblies and the National Assembly occur at least 185 days before their dissolution.
This change aims to resolve pre- and post-election legal disputes before the May 29, 2027, inauguration.
At a joint public hearing on Monday, the House Committee on Electoral Matters, chaired by Adebayo Balogun, emphasized that the November 2026 timeline would allow sufficient time to settle disputes.
The committee also proposed reducing tribunal judgment periods from 180 days to 90 days to expedite resolutions.
Non-compliance with these provisions would incur penalties, though specifics remain undisclosed.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has endorsed the amendments, citing improved transparency and efficiency.
However, opposition parties are split, with some questioning the motives and potential impacts, particularly regarding optional PVCs and the feasibility of early voting logistics.
As the bill progresses, stakeholders anticipate robust debates on its implications for Nigeria’s electoral integrity and democratic process. If passed, these changes could reshape the nation’s electoral landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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