National Assembly Passes Electoral Act Amendment to Curb Conflicting Court Rulings

The National Assembly has passed an amendment to the Electoral Act 2026, aiming to streamline pre-election litigation and reduce conflicting court rulings before the 2027 polls. The bill now heads to the President for assent to curb forum shopping in candidate nomination disputes.

The amendment is the first major revision to the Electoral Act since it was signed into law by President Tinubu on February 18, 2026. While the original legislation strengthened provisions for electronic voting systems, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and result transmission, lawmakers identified gaps in the handling of pre-election matters that required urgent attention.

Supporters of the change argue that it will promote judicial efficiency by designating specific courts to handle disputes arising from party primaries and candidate selection. This is expected to prevent the issuance of contradictory orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction and allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to finalise candidate lists with greater certainty.

In previous election cycles, multiple court cases on the same issues had created confusion, delayed preparations and sometimes forced INEC to adjust timelines at short notice.

Lawmakers believe the amendment will provide a more stable legal framework for political parties and candidates. It is also expected to reduce the burden on the judiciary, allowing courts to focus on substantive matters rather than competing claims over jurisdiction.

The development reflects broader efforts by the current administration and legislature to refine Nigeria’s electoral laws following lessons learned from past polls. While the 2026 Act introduced significant technological advancements, the pre-election litigation component had remained a source of concern for stakeholders.

As the bill advances to the presidency, attention will turn to how quickly it can be signed into law and implemented. Political parties and candidates are already preparing for the next electoral cycle, and a clearer legal pathway for resolving internal disputes is expected to benefit the overall process.

INEC has previously welcomed legislative efforts to strengthen the legal framework around elections. Officials say any measures that reduce ambiguity and promote timely resolution of disputes will help the commission deliver credible polls.