Tinubu signs Electoral Act 2026 into law

President Bola Tinubu has signed the Electoral Reform Act into law.

The event was witnessed by Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President; Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives; Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker and Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President.

Others include Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere and other Senators and House of Representatives Members at the presidential Villa Abuja on Wednesday

Civil society groups and some opposition figures have long pushed for real-time transmission of results from polling units to INEC’s central server, arguing it would curb manipulation and strengthen credibility.

Protesters had last week disrupted the National Assembly complex to demand live transmission, citing failures during the 2023 elections when INEC’s Results Viewing Portal collapsed, triggering widespread allegations of rigging.

While the ruling All Progressives Congress supports technology adoption, some stakeholders argue that areas with poor telecommunications infrastructure require a phased or hybrid approach, allowing manual collation where electronic systems fail.

The 2027 general elections are scheduled to hold on February 20 for Presidential and National Assembly elections and March 6 for Governorship & State Houses of Assembly Elections.