Nigeria commemorates its 66th independence anniversary today, with citizens reflecting on the country's progress in consolidating democracy. Since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria has experienced a tumultuous journey, marked by military rule, civil war, and struggles with democratic governance. The country's transition to democracy in 1999 has been the longest period of civilian rule in its history. Despite these gains, Nigerians continue to face challenges in ensuring that the rules governing elections serve the interests of the voters.
A significant development in Nigeria's democratic journey is the recent signing of the Electoral Act 2026 into law by President Tinubu on February 18, 2026. This new law aims to address some of the shortcomings in the electoral process, including the creation of a dedicated fund for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the abolition of indirect primaries, and the mandatory use of technology in the electoral process. Analysts have noted that these provisions have the potential to favour citizens and enhance the credibility of elections.
One of the key features of the new Electoral Act is the requirement for election tribunals to receive and engage with data from the INEC's Results Viewing Portal (IReV) as admissible evidence. This development is expected to strengthen the electoral process by ensuring that results uploaded at polling units cannot be easily dismissed in court. Additionally, INEC has rescheduled the presidential and National Assembly polls to January 16, 2027, and the governorship and state assembly elections to February 6, 2027, citing the repeal of the 2022 Act and the new statutory timelines in the 2026 law.
Despite these reforms, concerns have been raised about the limitations of the new law. Some analysts have noted that the Act provides no verification mechanism for IReV data and removes qualification as a ground for election petitions. Furthermore, the law permits a manual form for sending results where technology fails, which could undermine the credibility of the electoral process. The use of technology with a manual fallback has been identified as a critical area where public trust will be won or lost.
The coming months will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of the new electoral reforms. Three key tests will define this period: the functionality of technology on election day, the conduct of primaries that give meaning to the new law, and the behaviour of political campaigns. The Senate Leader has urged political parties to campaign within the Electoral Act and the Constitution, warning against statements that could provoke ethno-religious violence.
Nigerian citizens are increasingly vigilant and aware of their rights, with many carrying phones and photographing result sheets. The new law gives this vigilance evidential weight, and civil society, the media, and observers across Africa have a critical role to play in ensuring that the rules are applied as written. The experience of military rule has shown what happens when power answers to no one, and the ballot box is a crucial mechanism for holding those in power accountable.
As Nigeria looks ahead to the 2027 general elections, the country's progress in consolidating democracy will be closely watched. The electoral reforms introduced in the new law have the potential to enhance the credibility of the electoral process, but their implementation will be critical in determining the country's democratic trajectory.
Key points
- The new Electoral Act 2026 aims to enhance the credibility of elections in Nigeria through the use of technology and the abolition of indirect primaries.
- The law requires election tribunals to receive and engage with data from the INEC's Results Viewing Portal (IReV) as admissible evidence.
- The implementation of the new electoral reforms will be tested in the coming months, particularly in terms of technology functionality, primary conduct, and campaign behaviour.
