Tinubu Signs 2026 Electoral Act Into Law as Senate Approves Electronic Transmission of Results

|By Adejumo Adekunle

President Bola Tinubu has signed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026 into law, setting the stage for significant changes in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of future elections.

The signing follows decisive action by the Senate, which on Tuesday approved the electronic transmission of election results. Lawmakers, however, retained manual collation as a backup mechanism, a move designed to address technical failures and logistical challenges that may arise during elections.

The decision to adopt electronic transmission marks a major policy shift aimed at strengthening transparency, accelerating result collation, and reducing electoral disputes. Proponents argue that the reform will curb manipulation and enhance public trust in Nigeria’s democratic system.

Despite these assurances, the Senate’s resolution ignited widespread public reaction. Many Nigerians expressed outrage, questioning the clarity of safeguards surrounding the backup manual collation process. Critics fear that retaining manual collation could create loopholes capable of undermining the credibility of electronically transmitted results.

Civil society groups and political stakeholders have since intensified calls for strict implementation guidelines to ensure that electronic transmission remains the primary and authoritative method of result management.

With the new law now in force, attention shifts to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is expected to issue operational directives and strengthen technological infrastructure to deliver on the promise of a more transparent electoral system.

The 2026 Electoral Act amendment is widely regarded as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution, with its implementation likely to shape public confidence in forthcoming elections.