In a statement issued on Sunday by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the legislation is the culmination of two years of consultations with key stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, civil society organisations, and development partners.

Stakeholder-Driven Reform Process

Bamidele emphasised that the law reflects a national consensus.

“The making of the new regime is a collective work that involves nearly all critical stakeholders,” he said, noting that inputs from partners were incorporated before the bill was transmitted for presidential assent.

The bill was harmonised by both chambers of the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu within 24 hours, a move aimed at preventing a constitutional crisis ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Key Reforms at a Glance

Bamidele noted the Electoral Act 2026 introduces several structural and technological changes, including:

Dedicated INEC Fund: Establishes financial autonomy and mandates release of election funds at least six months before polls.

Mandatory BVAS Accreditation: Presiding officers must use BVAS or other approved technology to verify voters.

Electronic Transmission of Results: Polling unit results must be transmitted electronically to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), with penalties for non-compliance.

Digital Party Registers: Political parties must maintain and submit verified digital membership registers to INEC 21 days before primaries.

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Tougher Penalties and Accountability Measures

The senate leader added that the law introduces stricter sanctions to curb electoral malpractice including:

Two-year jail term for Resident Electoral Commissioners who withhold vital documents.

Six months’ imprisonment or ₦500,000 fine for presiding officers who frustrate electronic transmission of results.

Up to two years’ imprisonment or fines between ₦500,000 and ₦2 million for vote buying, impersonation, and result manipulation.

₦10 million fine for political parties that fail to submit accurate audited returns.

Changes to Party Primaries and Campaign Spending Limits

He further said the Act phases out indirect primaries, allowing only direct and consensus methods to broaden participation and reduce delegate inducement.

According to the senator, the campaign spending limits in the amended Act have also been revised, for Presidential, from ₦5 billion to ₦10 billion.

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“Governorship: ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion.

“Senate: ₦100 million to ₦500 million.

“House of Representatives: ₦70 million to ₦250 million,”

Inclusion and Accessibility Provisions

On inclusion, the lawmaker noted that the legislation introduces measures to improve inclusivity, including queue separation where cultural norms require it and support mechanisms for visually impaired voters.

Strengthening Electoral Credibility

Bamidele said the reforms are designed to enhance transparency, institutional independence, and technological integration in election management.

“The Electoral Act 2026 represents a consolidation and refinement of the country’s electoral governance framework,” he said.

“It seeks to enhance electoral credibility, reduce disputes, and strengthen democratic governance in Nigeria.”

The new legal framework is expected to guide preparations for the 2027 general elections and deepen public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.