Tinubu signs electoral act into Law

In a landmark move for Nigeria’s democratic framework, President Bola Tinubu has officially signed the Electoral Act 2026 into law.

The signing, which took place at the State House on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, follows the recent harmonization of the bill by the National Assembly to address critical gaps ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The new Act introduces pivotal reforms, including the official replacement of smart card readers with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the legalization of electronic transmission of results.

A key highlight of the legislation is the adjustment of election timelines, granting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the flexibility to shift the 2027 election dates to avoid a clash with the Ramadan fasting period.

By assenting to this bill, the President has effectively repealed the 2022 Act, signaling a renewed commitment to electoral transparency and technological integration in the nation's polling process.