Nigeria National Assembly Proposes Early Elections for 2027, Shifting Polls to 2026

The Digest:

Nigeria's National Assembly has proposed groundbreaking electoral reforms that would move the 2027 general elections to November 2026, six months earlier than usual, while introducing digital voting cards and prisoner voting rights in a comprehensive amendment to the Electoral Act.

Key Points:

• Presidential and gubernatorial elections would be held 185 days before incumbents' tenure ends
• The change could shift the 2027 polls to November 2026 instead of February/March 2027
• Civil society warns that early elections could allow outgoing officials to accumulate debt
• New provisions include digital voter cards with QR codes and voting rights for inmates
• INEC proposes downloadable e-cards to replace the current PVC system
• Stakeholders demand mandatory electronic transmission of results
• The bill introduces early voting for security personnel and election officials
• Tighter sanctions for electoral offences, including mandatory prison terms

As Nigeria reimagines its democratic calendar, the debate between smooth transitions and political expediency reveals how the architecture of elections shapes not just who leads, but how power is transferred and accountable governance is ensured. Rooted in the Storm.

Sources: Daily Trust