Electronic Transmission & BVAS: Key Takeaways from the Newly Signed Electoral Act 2026
President Tinubu Signs Amended Electoral Bill into Law
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially signed the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 into law, establishing the legal framework for the 2027 general elections. The signing ceremony took place at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, attended by principal officers of the National Assembly, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.
The new legislation, which repeals the Electoral Act of 2022, is the culmination of two years of legislative deliberation aimed at addressing ambiguities in previous polls and integrating modern technological safeguards into the electoral process.
Strategic Reforms and Technological Integration
The Electoral Act 2026 introduces several critical changes designed to enhance the transparency and efficiency of Nigeria’s voting system. Key among these is the statutory codification of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). While BVAS was used in previous cycles, the new Act removes administrative discretion, making it the sole mandatory method for voter accreditation.
Furthermore, the law provides explicit statutory recognition for the Election Results Viewing Portal (IReV). This reinforcement ensures that polling unit results are transmitted and made accessible for independent verification, a move intended to rebuild public trust in the collation process.
"By assenting to this Bill, we are reinforcing the foundations of our democracy," President Tinubu stated during the ceremony. "We are ensuring that the voice of every Nigerian is not only heard but accurately recorded and protected by the law."
Revised Timelines and Operational Planning
To allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sufficient time for logistics and procurement, the 2026 Act adjusts several administrative windows:
Notice of Election: The statutory window has been adjusted to 180 days before polling day (reduced from the previous 360-day requirement in some versions to balance preparation with political stability).
Candidate Nomination: Political parties must now submit their candidate lists at least 90 days before the general election, streamlining the window for resolving pre-election litigations.
Funding Certainty: The Act mandates the release of election funds to INEC at least one year before a general election to improve strategic procurement and operational readiness.
Stricter Penalties and Over-Voting Controls
The legislation significantly raises the stakes for electoral malpractice. The fine for the illegal buying or selling of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) has been increased to ₦5 million, while maintaining a two-year imprisonment term.
Crucially, the Act introduces enhanced cross-verification mechanisms at the collation stage to automatically identify and cancel results that exceed the number of accredited voters, effectively tightening the net against over-voting.
Balancing Technology with Technical Reality
Despite the push for full automation, the Act grants INEC the authority to prescribe the specific manner for the transfer of results and accreditation data. This "operational flexibility" addresses concerns regarding Nigeria's varying broadband infrastructure, ensuring that areas with poor network coverage do not lead to the disenfranchisement of voters.
President Tinubu noted that while technology is vital, the human element in manual voting where a voter fingerprints a ballot paper in person remains the bedrock of the current system until technical capacity reaches universal coverage.
The assent to the Electoral Act 2026 marks a pivotal milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward electoral maturity. By entrenching BVAS and IReV into law and providing INEC with a clearer operational runway, the Federal Government aims to mitigate the disputes that characterized previous cycles. As the nation pivots toward the 2027 polls, the focus now shifts to INEC’s implementation of these new statutory powers and the public’s engagement with the reformed process.
