President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 into law today, February 18, around 5 p.m. at the State House in Abuja. It was quick and straightforward, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and a few others there. The National Assembly passed it just yesterday after months of debate, public input, and some real tension especially over that electronic transmission clause.
Don’t Miss This: Tinubu unveils Nigeria Industrial Policy as Dangote demands national forum on power
This sets the rules clearer for 2027 elections, coming right after INEC dropped their timetable. The changes aim to tighten transparency, fix logistical headaches from past polls, and plug gaps that fuel distrust. Key tweaks include entrenching BVAS in law for voter accreditation, narrowing voter registration docs to things like birth certificate, passport, or NIN, and letting people download voter cards online.
The big flashpoint remains result transmission. It’s not full mandatory real-time electronic upload to IReV from every polling unit like many activists and opposition pushed for.
Instead, it’s hybrid: presiding officers must transmit electronically where possible after signing Form EC8A (with party agents countersigning), but if network fails or glitches hit, the signed physical EC8A sheet becomes the primary source for collation and declaration.
Tinubu highlighted safeguards against hacking and tech failures, saying democracy grows by learning from each cycle experience shows we need to avoid unnecessary risks while building trust.
Some praise it as practical. Nigeria’s internet isn’t reliable everywhere, power dips, so why force a system that could collapse? Supporters like the NASS leadership called it a win for credibility. But critics aren’t letting up.
Don’t Miss This: Tinubu unveils Nigeria Industrial Policy as Dangote demands national forum on power
PDP slammed it as a betrayal and assault on democracy, pointing out how the same folks once demanded electronic voting. Former INEC guy Mike Igini warned it opens doors to chaos and elite protection.
Online, people are frustrated protests happened, questions about rushing it, why not fix the proviso. One post even asked why not send it back for tweaks.
To be honest, it feels like the usual Nigerian tension: idealism vs. ground reality. The law now gives INEC clearer marching orders prep tech better, educate voters, cut down on endless court drama. Maybe it’ll make 2027 smoother, maybe spark more fights. Either way, it’s done, and the conversation doesn’t end here. Trust gets rebuilt vote by vote, not just by signing papers.
Source : The Guardian
