By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Senate has reduced the timeline for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the notice of election from 360 days to 180 days.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Tahir Monguno who moved that the earlier 360 days required for INEC to publish the notice of election be reduced to 180 days.

Monguno explained that the reduction in date was necessary to enable INEC meet up with the requirements on publication of notice, saying that it was already late if the 360 days was taken into consideration regarding the next general election.

With the amendment, INEC now have more time left to publish the notice for the 2027 elections.

Daily Trust

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigerian Senate has rejected proposed amendments that would have made electronic transmission of election results compulsory, opting instead to retain the existing provisions from the 2022 Electoral Act.

During plenary session on Wednesday, senators considered the Bill for an Act to Repeal the Electoral Act No. 13, 2022, and Enact the Electoral Act, 2025. A key proposed clause (new Clause 60(5)) that would have required presiding officers to electronically transmit polling unit results in real time to INEC’s IReV portal after completing Form EC8A was rejected.

The Senate retained the 2022 framework, which mandates manual completion, signing, stamping, and distribution of results to party agents and security personnel, with results announced at polling units and transferred “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission” – without mandating electronic transmission.

Senators also rejected Clause 47, which sought to allow electronically-generated voter identification (such as downloadable voter cards with QR codes) for accreditation.

The requirement to present a physical Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) remains in place, while the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) or other INEC-prescribed devices for verification was upheld.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that its preparations for the 2027 general elections remain on course, despite pending amendments to the Electoral Act in the National Assembly.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the announcement on Wednesday in Abuja during a stakeholder briefing with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

He revealed that the commission has already drafted a preliminary timetable and schedule of activities for the polls. However, he noted that the timeline remains contingent on the National Assembly’s passage of the amended Electoral Act.

“We have submitted our recommendations for the Act’s amendment to the legislature,” Amupitan said. “While our preparations are advancing steadily, the finalization of some activities will depend on when the new law is enacted.”

The Chairman assured that the commission would adapt its plans as necessary once the legal framework is in place, affirming that the delay would not compromise INEC’s commitment to conducting credible, free, and fair elections.

“Until the amended Act is passed, we will continue to operate under the existing electoral law,” he stated. “Our focus remains unwavering on delivering our constitutional mandate.”

Amupitan also emphasized the importance of continued partnership with CSOs and other stakeholders to bolster public confidence and ensure a transparent electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.