Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, has explained that the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026 reviewed the election spending limits for various elective offices upward, increasing the ceiling for presidential campaigns from N5 billion to N10 billion.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Bamidele outlined key provisions of the new electoral governance framework, saying the adjustments were made under Section 92(1-8) of the Act.
According to him, the spending threshold for governorship elections was raised from N1 billion to N3 billion; Senate elections from N100 million to N500 million; House of Representatives from N70 million to N250 million; House of Assembly from N30 million to N100 million; Area Council chairmanship from N30 million to N60 million; and councillorship from N5 million to N10 million.
Tougher Penalties for Electoral Offences
Bamidele noted that under Section 125(1-2), the new law imposes stiffer penalties for vote buying, impersonation and result manipulation. Offenders risk a two-year jail term or a fine ranging from N500,000 to N2 million, or both, upon conviction.
He also cited Section 74(1), which mandates Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to release certified true copies of requested documents within 24 hours after payment. Failure to comply attracts a minimum two-year prison term without the option of a fine.
The Act further prescribes a two-year jail term for any REC who withholds vital electoral documents.
INEC Fund, BVAS and E-Transmission
The National Assembly also established a dedicated fund for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen its financial autonomy, operational stability and administrative continuity.
Under Section 3, election funds are to be released at least six months before general elections, while INEC is empowered to review questionable results declared under duress or in violation of procedures.
Section 47 mandates the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) or any other technological device prescribed by INEC for voter accreditation.
Similarly, Section 60(3) provides for the mandatory electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), while Section 60(6) recommends a six-month jail term or a N500,000 fine, or both, for any presiding officer who willfully frustrates electronic transmission.
Bamidele clarified that IReV is not a collation platform but a transparency tool, adding that manual transmission using Form EC8A may be allowed where electronic transmission fails due to communication challenges.
Direct and Consensus Primaries
The Senate Leader disclosed that unlike the repealed 2022 Electoral Act, the 2026 law provides only for direct and consensus primaries under Section 84(1-2), effectively phasing out indirect primaries to broaden participation and curb monetisation of delegates.
Section 77(1-7) now requires political parties to maintain a digital membership register, issue membership cards and submit the register to INEC at least 21 days before primaries, congresses or conventions. Any party that fails to comply will be barred from fielding candidates.
The Act also mandates that parties must not use any register other than the one submitted to INEC for their primaries.
In addition, Section 93(4) prescribes a N10 million fine for any political party that fails to submit an accurate audited return within the stipulated period.
Other reforms include provisions under Section 49 requiring gender-sensitive queue arrangements where culturally necessary, and Section 54, which creates support mechanisms for persons with visual impairment.
Two-Year Reform Process
The National Assembly harmonised versions of the Electoral Bill 2026 passed by both chambers and transmitted it to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent to avert a potential constitutional crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President signed the bill into law within 24 hours of its transmission, concluding a two-year legislative process.
Although some civil society organisations questioned the speed of assent, Bamidele said the National Assembly had engaged extensively with INEC, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, CSOs and development partners throughout the drafting process.
“The making of the new regime is a collective work that involves nearly all critical stakeholders,” he said, adding that the Act seeks to enhance transparency, strengthen institutional independence, improve technological integration and reinforce accountability in Nigeria’s electoral system.
According to him, the Electoral Act 2026 consolidates and refines Nigeria’s electoral framework, with the goal of enhancing credibility, reducing disputes and deepening democratic governance.
