₦airaland Forum

Benefits Of Nigeria’s 2026 Electoral Act Amendment Bill

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday 18 February 2026 at the State House in Abuja, signed the 2026 Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.

Aside the contentious issue of electronic transmission of election results, the bill introduces some fundamental changes that bode profound positive tidings for the future of Nigeria’s democracy.

Below is a simplified list of these changes:

Abolition of indirect party primaries (aka Delegate System): Gone now are the days of delegates being corruptly induced with packs of dollar notes by candidates. With only direct primaries and consensus being valid, power is now solidly in the hands of the rank-and-file party members, and only grassroots popularity will matter henceforth.

Acceptable documents for voter registration are now birth certificate/ international passport/ National Identification Number(NIN): By removing the driver’s license and national ID card, it simplifies verification, improves data integrity and speeds up the registration process.

Audited Reports by Political Parties: The Act imposes a ₦10 million fine on any party that fails to submit accurate audited returns within the stipulated period.

Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS): This is now the compulsory method for voter accreditation. It officially replaces older methods that were prone to interference and manipulation.

Dedicated fund for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC): This guarantees its functional stability, management continuity, and financial autonomy.

Downloadable Voter’s Card: There is no longer need to queue for hours, days or weeks just to collect your physical Voter’s Card. Just download it directly from the website of INEC.

Fine for illegal buying or selling of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) increased to ₦5 million plus 2 years imprisonment: This will seriously discourage the fraudulent practice and enhance the integrity of our electoral process.

“Notice of Election” window is now 180 days: This streamlines election administration and reduces costs.

Submission of candidate lists is now 90 days before a general election: This also streamlines election administration and reduces the hitherto long periods of pre-election political tension.

Timeline for publication of candidates lists by INEC reduced from 150 days to 60: This goes hand in hand with the reduced timing for notice of election and submission of candidates.

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COMRADES, we know those benefits but unfortunately, some people are hell bend on twisting everything because they don't want to see the masses happy

Like say rigging no go still dey go on... No be 9ja again??

What about people wey don give up on the country?

Benefits indeed. When Nigerians are ready, these old barons will heavily pay

They should include "only tax payer to vote"

The principal aim of the amendment, mandatory transmission of election results, was loudly rejected by the Tinubu-led APC, perhaps because transparency is inconvenient when your strategy is “snatch it, grab it, and run with it" as can be seen below

Total no. Of accredited voters: 213
Total no. Of ballots issued: 213
Total no. Of unused ballots: 132
Spoilt ballots: Nil
Rejected ballots: 2
Total votes cast: 213
Total VALID VOTES: 211

APC scored 1,212 votes in same unit.

The good thing here is the duration of notice, atleast some aspirant will stop jumping from one party to another when election date is close, get your act right in your party or wait for another four years.

No benefits...it is a caricature

As long as there is no mention of Abolition of Gala and Malta Guinness, wailing should be minimal.

Tooreda:
Benefits indeed. When Nigerians are ready, these old barons will heavily pay

can never be ready with differences in tribe and religion, it will be hard for a hand joint protest among all Nigerians.

Make dem sha try curb some electoral fruds. No more queuing for voters card in INEC office sweet me for for belle. God bless Nigeria 🇳🇬

Ofunaofu:
The principal aim of the amendment, mandatory transmission of election results, was loudly rejected by the Tinubu-led APC, perhaps because transparency is inconvenient when your strategy is “snatch it, grab it, and run with it" as can be seen below

Total no. Of accredited voters: 213
Total no. Of ballots issued: 213
Total no. Of unused ballots: 132
Spoilt ballots: Nil
Rejected ballots: 2
Total votes cast: 213
Total VALID VOTES: 211

APC scored 1,212 votes in same unit.

And the rigger was so gullible to leave the number of votes in words, from the image you shared

You don't think that image is most likely fake to push a narrative

adioolayi:
And the rigger was so gullible to leave the number of votes in words, from the image you shared

You don't think that image is most likely fake to push a narrative

It is a very fake image. propaganda image

That electoral bill was the fastest bill ever signed into law by this govt. However conducting a free and fair 2027 election will be the true benefit, not the signed paper. We have too many signed laws in Nigeria but the problem lies with the implementation and execution of the signed laws.

All these are useless without direct electronic transmission of election result from the polling units.

Good news . Great amendment. Tinubu spent so much dollars in 2023 APC primaries that indirect primaries must have given him ptsd. Also Atiku will be punching calculator on how many party members he has to give dollars to buy ADC presidential ticket . Hoping this helps Nigerians votes count

Ofunaofu:
The principal aim of the amendment, mandatory transmission of election results, was loudly rejected by the Tinubu-led APC, perhaps because transparency is inconvenient when your strategy is “snatch it, grab it, and run with it" as can be seen below

Total no. Of accredited voters: 213
Total no. Of ballots issued: 213
Total no. Of unused ballots: 132
Spoilt ballots: Nil
Rejected ballots: 2
Total votes cast: 213
Total VALID VOTES: 211

APC scored 1,212 votes in the same unit.

You know very well that this is not correct. Rather the error is being amplified by you for mischief!!

adioolayi:
And the rigger was so gullible to leave the number of votes in words, from the image you shared

You don't think that image is most likely fake to push a narrative

Before you come here accusing anyone of “pushing a narrative,” take a short trip to the official Irev portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission. Check the results yourself: under the Kwali LGA Chairman Election, Yangoji Ward. The figures are sitting there in black and white.

Transparency was exactly what the amendment sought, something the Tinubu-led APC regime loudly opposed. And when 213 accredited voters turn into 1,212 votes for the APC , people don’t need Photoshop to question it, they just need elementary school mathematics.

If defending the indefensible is the strategy, at least make the numbers believable.

adioolayi:
And the rigger was so gullible to leave the number of votes in words, from the image you shared

You don't think that image is most likely fake to push a narrative

Kaa4:
You know very well that this is not correct. Rather the error is being amplified by you for mischief!!

DMCA:
It is a very fake image. propaganda image

It’s on iRev, here is the direct link: https://www.inecelectionresults.ng/elections/699824bf40728bdc366f87e2/context/pus/lga/5f0f398c4d89fc3a883de1d7/ward/5f0f3c1a8f77bb3acad09a63

Check number 5. Kuroko Health Center. PU 017

Cc: Ofunaofu

The country self don give up on them too.

so save your energy ... no need asking .

callmetade:
Like say rigging no go still dey go on... No be 9ja again??

if someone or govt decided to take this up with you now based on your post and picture , you'll be begging .

be sure of whatever you're posting to avoid getting yourself into mess your people may not be able to help you resolve .

Ofunaofu:
The principal aim of the amendment, mandatory transmission of election results, was loudly rejected by the Tinubu-led APC, perhaps because transparency is inconvenient when your strategy is “snatch it, grab it, and run with it" as can be seen below

Total no. Of accredited voters: 213
Total no. Of ballots issued: 213
Total no. Of unused ballots: 132
Spoilt ballots: Nil
Rejected ballots: 2
Total votes cast: 213
Total VALID VOTES: 211

APC scored 1,212 votes in same unit.

Ofunaofu:
Before you come here accusing anyone of “pushing a narrative,” take a short trip to the official Irev portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission. Check the results yourself: under the Kwali LGA Chairman Election, Yangoji Ward. The figures are sitting there in black and white.

Transparency was exactly what the amendment sought, something the Tinubu-led APC regime loudly opposed. And when 213 accredited voters turn into 1,212 votes for the APC , people don’t need Photoshop to question it, they just need elementary school mathematics.

If defending the indefensible is the strategy, at least make the numbers believable.

But total number of accredited votes is 213 and total votes cast is 211 which means the 1212 is a mistake. It is 121. The last two was cancelled

oneMalik:
if someone or govt decided to take this up with you now based on your post and picture , you'll be begging .

be sure of whatever you're posting to avoid getting yourself into mess your people may not be able to help you resolve .

Oga, why not just pay a visit to Irev portal before cautioning him? The photo of the result sheet is on the Irev portal for everyone to see.

If they do not approve of "real-time electronic transmission of results", every other thing they are saying is nonsense. That's the only thing that can guarantee transparent, free and fair election.

Rubbish. I can guarantee you there are no benefits in anything. Our laws only look good on paper. So long as those to implement the law are the electoral thieves then there is no point.

1

Ofunaofu:
The principal aim of the amendment, mandatory transmission of election results, was loudly rejected by the Tinubu-led APC, perhaps because transparency is inconvenient when your strategy is “snatch it, grab it, and run with it" as can be seen below

Total no. Of accredited voters: 213
Total no. Of ballots issued: 213
Total no. Of unused ballots: 132
Spoilt ballots: Nil
Rejected ballots: 2
Total votes cast: 213
Total VALID VOTES: 211

APC scored 1,212 votes in same unit.

So are you saying they rigged the election ?

Melagros:
COMRADES, we know those benefits but unfortunately, some people are hell bend on twisting everything because they don't want to see the masses happy

People like who? Are you the one that inserted the benefits in the bill.

Bravo! I will want to say a job well done to our legislators

Akpakomiza2:
But total number of accredited votes is 213 and total votes cast is 211 which means the 1212 is a mistake. It is 121. The last two was cancelled

.


Stop defending rubbish for crying out loud. In Nigeria that we all know, 1212 will easily be recorded for that useless party and their members will tell you to go to court