Tinubu Signs Electoral Act 2026 Into Law

President Bola Tinubu has officially signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 into law, bringing an end to months of intense legislative debate and political wrangling.

The President assented to the bill on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, just a day after the National Assembly passed the legislation despite a rowdy session in the House of Representatives.

The journey to the signing was fraught with controversy. Only on Tuesday, proceedings in the House of Representatives turned chaotic as lawmakers clashed over a motion seeking to rescind the passage of the bill.

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Despite the uproar and a voice vote that appeared to reject the motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas ruled in favor of its passage, paving the way for the bill to be transmitted to the President for assent.

The new law introduces several amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act, with key provisions aimed at streamlining the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While the full details of the signed Act are being awaited, central to the amendments was the adjustment of election timelines.

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The National Assembly had reportedly targeted January 2027 for the presidential polls to allow sufficient time for post-election litigation before the May 29 handover date.

The signing of the Electoral Act 2026 signals the official commencement of the countdown to the next general elections, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is now expected to release a comprehensive timetable in line with the new legal framework.