President Bola Tinubu has signed the amended Electoral Act 2026 into law, officially mandating real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units to INEC’s central servers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The signing took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja shortly after the National Assembly concluded legislative work on the bill.
The timing is significant, coming just days after the Independent National Electoral Commission unveiled the official timetable for the next general elections.
The amendment has revived nationwide discussions over the role of electronic transmission of results. Advocacy groups and opposition figures continue to push for compulsory real-time transmission from polling units to central servers, arguing that it strengthens transparency and reduces opportunities for result manipulation.
Concerns over electronic transmission gained momentum following the challenges experienced during the 2023 presidential election, when technical issues with the results viewing portal sparked widespread criticism and public protests.
Supporters of the amendment maintain that technological innovation remains central to strengthening electoral credibility. However, others caution that infrastructural gaps, especially in remote communities with limited network coverage, may necessitate alternative collation mechanisms where electronic systems are unreliable.
INEC has scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, while Governorship and State Assembly elections are fixed for March 6, 2027.
With the new law now in force, political actors are expected to recalibrate strategies as preparations for the 2027 contest gather momentum.
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