President Tinubu signs amended electoral act 2026 into law

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill into law, marking a significant update to Nigeria’s electoral framework.

The signing ceremony was held at the Presidential Villa at about 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18. The event was attended by key principal officers of the National Assembly of Nigeria, underscoring the importance of the legislative milestone. The National Assembly had earlier passed the amendment bill on Tuesday, February 17, paving the way for presidential assent.

One of the major highlights of the amended law is the provision that permits the electronic transmission of election results, a move widely seen as an effort to enhance transparency and credibility in the electoral process.

However, the law also includes a safeguard clause stating that in situations where there is network failure at any polling unit, election results may be manually collated and tabulated to ensure that the voting process is not disrupted.

The amendment is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of future elections, balancing the push for digital innovation with practical measures to address potential technological challenges.