By Emmanuel Kwada
For many Nigerians, the drawn-out court battles that often follow elections have become a frustrating hallmark of the democratic process, casting shadows over newly sworn-in leaders. In a bold move to address this, the National Assembly has proposed shifting the 2027 presidential and governorship elections to November 2026, a change aimed at ensuring all legal disputes are settled well before the May 29, 2027, handover.
The proposal, unveiled during a public hearing on Monday organized by the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters of the Senate and House of Representatives, seeks to amend the Electoral Act 2022.
The packed hearing room in Abuja buzzed with anticipation as lawmakers, election officials, and civil society advocates gathered to discuss the reforms. At the core of the plan is a new timeline: elections for the presidency and governorships would take place no later than 185 days before the end of the current term, pinpointing November 2026.
Hon. Adebayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, spoke with conviction as he outlined the reasoning. “We can’t keep starting administrations with one foot in the courtroom,” he said.
“This change gives us time to resolve disputes and lets leaders focus on governing from day one.” To make it work, the proposal calls for faster judicial processes: election tribunals would have 90 days instead of 180 to deliver judgments, appellate courts would get 60 days, and even the Supreme Court would fit within the 185-day window.
Achieving this requires amending key sections of the 1999 Constitution—76, 116, 132, and 178—to shift control of election timelines from rigid constitutional mandates to the more flexible Electoral Act.
“This gives INEC the room to plan effectively,” Balogun explained, earning nods from stakeholders who know all too well the logistical marathon of Nigerian elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was quick to endorse the plan. Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, representing INEC, called the proposal a “game-changer.” “Organizing elections across Nigeria’s diverse terrain is no small feat,” he said.
“An earlier timeline means better planning, quicker resolutions, and smoother transitions without the overhang of litigation.” Civil society representatives echoed this sentiment. A passionate advocate from an election monitoring group declared, “This could restore faith in the system. No more judges upending results months after the fact.”
The amendments go beyond rescheduling. They mandate electronic transmission of results from polling units, backed by manual records to prevent tampering.
Distributing unstamped ballots or result sheets would now carry a penalty of one year in prison, a N1 million fine, or both. The proposal also introduces early voting—up to 14 days before election day for security personnel, INEC staff, journalists, and observers, groups often unable to vote due to their duties.
“It’s only fair,” one seasoned election observer remarked during a break. “We keep the process running but miss out ourselves. This changes that.”
Additional reforms include allowing INEC-approved alternatives to the Permanent Voter Card, stricter penalties for electoral fraud, and measures to ensure fairer party primaries.
The room broke into applause as these ideas were presented, a rare moment of unity in a nation where elections often spark division. “After the hiccups of 2023, we need a system that feels transparent and reliable,” one journalist whispered to a colleague.
Still, the road ahead isn’t smooth. The amendments must navigate debates in both chambers, constitutional changes, and presidential approval. With 2027 less than two years away, the urgency is palpable.
But if this plan succeeds, Nigerians could head to the polls in November 2026, confident that their votes will be counted, disputes resolved, and leaders sworn in without lingering question marks.
