National Assembly Proposes Major Overhaul of Electoral Act Ahead of 2027 Polls

Sweeping reforms to Nigeria’s electoral framework are being considered as the National Assembly moves to amend the Electoral Act 2022 ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Key proposals under review include the mandatory use of electronic voting, compulsory electronic transmission of results, and the introduction of early voting for essential workers. The reforms also recommend replacing the current Permanent Voter Card (PVC) system with alternative forms of identification, such as the National Identification Number (NIN), Nigerian passport, or birth certificate.

The proposed amendments were unveiled during a public hearing held Monday by the joint committee on electoral matters. Lawmakers say the reforms aim to modernise the country’s electoral system, enhance transparency, and address persistent issues that have plagued previous elections.

A significant aspect of the proposal is the plan to shift the 2027 general elections to November 2026, six months ahead of the traditional election cycle. According to lawmakers, the adjustment would ensure that all post-election legal disputes are resolved before the May 29 inauguration date, preventing delays in government transition.

The draft bill also notes that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), currently used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), does not read the microchip embedded in PVCs. As such, it argues that PVCs should no longer be the sole means of voter identification.

“The use of Permanent Voter Cards will not be compulsory, since BVAS does not recognise the microchip in the PVC,” the proposal states. “Every registered voter will be able to download and print their voter’s card whenever needed. This totally eradicates the issue of buying and selling PVCs, as well as related electoral offences.”

The reforms come in the wake of widespread criticism of the 2023 general elections, which were marred by logistical setbacks, including the late transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), malfunctioning biometric devices, and disenfranchisement due to missing or uncollected PVCs.

Election observers and opposition parties also raised concerns about discrepancies between results recorded at polling units and those eventually uploaded online, citing alleged manipulation during the collation process.

While the proposed amendments have drawn mixed reactions, the National Assembly insists they are essential for restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and aligning it with global democratic standards.

The bill is still at the committee stage and will require further legislative scrutiny before it can be passed into law.