President Tinubu Enacts Electoral Act Amendment, Addressing Result Transmission
President Bola Tinubu has formally signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill into law, a pivotal legislative action preceding the 2027 general elections. The signing ceremony, conducted at the State House in Abuja, was attended by principal officers of the National Assembly. This development occurs amidst ongoing national discourse concerning the methodologies for transmitting election results, a topic that has historically sparked considerable debate.
The amended legislation, recently passed by the National Assembly, institutes a hybrid system for result collation. This system strategically combines electronic transmission with manual procedures using Form EC8A in areas experiencing technological network challenges. The compromise aims to balance technological advancement with practical infrastructure realities, a concern highlighted since the 2023 polls. The legislative process itself was not without contention, as the bill’s passage followed a rowdy session and prolonged debates, initially rejecting mandatory electronic transmission before later revisions.
During the signing, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of systemic confidence, stating, “It is time to have confidence in our system.” He noted that any system’s efficacy ultimately depends on its management by people. This legislative action coincides with the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) formal release of the Notice of Election and timetable for the 2027 polls. The commission has consistently reaffirmed its independence and outlined strategies to bolster public trust in the electoral process.
The amendment arrives during a period of transition for INEC, which saw Senate confirmation of a new Chairman in 2025. Furthermore, to meet the technological requirements for the upcoming elections, INEC has proposed a substantial budget to the National Assembly, underscoring the financial scale of implementing a secure and credible process. While the nation focuses on electoral reforms, other significant developments continue to unfold across sectors, from new tax laws being deliberated to corporate news such as Initiates Plc breaking out in its market. Concurrently, the government works to return normalcy to insecure regions, just as international actors like the Rwanda Dr and figures such as Trump influence global discourse, and domestic political events like Gbenga Daniel’s suspension draw attention.
