President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday approved the amended Electoral Act 2026, turning the revised bill into law at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The signing took place in the presence of key leaders of the National Assembly, shortly after lawmakers passed the amendment on Tuesday.
The development comes only days after the Independent National Electoral Commission released the timetable for the 2027 general elections. The new law has reopened national discussions about the use of technology in transmitting election results.
Debate has continued over whether election results should be sent electronically from polling units directly to INEC’s central server. Civil society groups and some opposition leaders have argued for real-time electronic transmission, saying it would reduce result tampering and improve trust in the process.
The issue gained fresh attention after the 2023 elections, when INEC’s Results Viewing Portal experienced technical problems, leading to complaints and allegations from various quarters.
Last week, protesters gathered at the National Assembly complex to demand that live electronic transmission be made mandatory. They said problems experienced during the last general elections should not repeat themselves.
While members of the ruling All Progressives Congress have expressed support for the use of technology in elections, some stakeholders believe that areas with weak network coverage may require a mixed system.
They argue that manual collation may still be needed in places where electronic transmission cannot function properly.
The 2027 general elections are scheduled for February 20 for the Presidential and National Assembly polls, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are set for March 6.
With the amendment now signed into law, attention is expected to shift to how INEC will implement the new provisions as preparations continue for the next nationwide elections.