Nigeria’s National Assembly has rolled out changes in the newly enacted Electoral Act, 2026, introducing stricter penalties for electoral misconduct and establishing a dedicated fund to guarantee the financial autonomy of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
Among the headline reforms is a proposed two-year jail term for any Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) who withholds vital electoral documents ,a move lawmakers say is aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
The Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed the key provisions on Sunday in a statement issued in Abuja, describing the reforms as the product of two years of legislative engagement and consultations.
Bamidele’s clarification comes less than 24 hours after opposition parties criticised aspects of the 2026 Act, particularly provisions on party primaries, campaign funding and election timelines, alleging they tilt the political landscape in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
While the Presidency and the APC have defended the amendments as necessary to deepen democracy and protect electoral integrity, opposition figures insist the changes could weaken political competition.
Addressing the concerns, Bamidele said many Nigerians were overlooking the broader gains embedded in the new law.
“The new electoral governance framework equally mandates the INEC to deploy a Bimodal Voters Accreditation System; recommend two-year jail imprisonment for the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) who withholds vital documents; establish an electronic register of voters and review campaign funds upward for different elective offices,” he stated.
The Electoral Bill 2026 was harmonised by both chambers of the National Assembly, particularly resolving disagreements over Clause 60(3), before its transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent — a move lawmakers said was necessary to avert any constitutional crisis ahead of the next general election cycle.
However, political tensions continue to trail the reforms. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee described recent political withdrawals linked to the broader electoral developments as “shameful” and “anti-democratic,” alleging they were induced without the party’s consent and amounted to a “forced consensus.”
Separately, controversy surrounding Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike’s open support for APC candidates in recent local polls has fueled debate over party loyalty and cross-party alliances.
APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka defended Wike’s actions as a constitutional right, not a coordinated party strategy.
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday commended Wike’s role in the APC’s victories in the FCT Area Council elections and the by-elections in Rivers State, further intensifying political discourse ahead of 2027.
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