On February 4, 2026, Nigeria's Senate passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026, after beginning consideration and reducing the election notice period.
Nigeria's Senate took significant steps on February 4, 2026, towards amending the electoral framework. Earlier in the day, at around 4:42 PM, the upper chamber of the National Assembly commenced consideration of the report on the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026. This marked the beginning of deliberations on the proposed legislation aimed at updating election laws.
By 5:51 PM, the Senate had approved a key amendment, reducing the timeline for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the notice of election from 360 days to 180 days before polling day. This change is intended to streamline preparations for future elections, including the 2027 general elections.
Culminating the day's activities at 7:02 PM, the Senate passed the bill in its entirety. The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for concurrence before presidential assent. In the lead-up to these developments, INEC had urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the amendments to ensure readiness for the 2027 polls.
These updates come amid ongoing efforts to improve the integrity and efficiency of Nigeria's electoral process, though specific details on other provisions in the bill were not detailed in immediate reports.
