The Nigerian Senate has reduced the mandatory notice period for general elections from 360 days to 300 days in a move designed to prevent the 2027 presidential and national assembly polls from falling within Ramadan. Lawmakers amended clause 28 of the Electoral Act repeal and re enactment bill 2026 after reviewing concerns that the earlier […]
The Nigerian Senate has reduced the mandatory notice period for general elections from 360 days to 300 days in a move designed to prevent the 2027 presidential and national assembly polls from falling within Ramadan.
Lawmakers amended clause 28 of the Electoral Act repeal and re enactment bill 2026 after reviewing concerns that the earlier 360 day requirement could force the Independent National Electoral Commission to schedule elections during the Muslim holy month.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved the motion for rescission arguing that holding elections during Ramadan could affect voter turnout logistics and overall inclusiveness of the process.
The revised clause now mandates INEC to publish election notices at least 300 days before the poll across all states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Senators explained that the adjustment followed consultations with INEC which had earlier fixed February 20 2027 for presidential and national assembly elections and March 6 2027 for governorship and state assembly polls.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters Simon Lalong clarified that the election timetable template was originally set by former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu and was not deliberately designed to clash with Ramadan.
In a separate decision the Senate retained a controversial proviso in clause 60 allowing manual transmission of results where electronic transmission fails due to network issues.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe opposed the provision and demanded a division but 55 senators voted to keep the manual backup while 15 rejected it.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio declared that those who supported the clause had saved Nigeria democracy.
With the amendments adopted the Senate passed the Electoral Act repeal and re enactment bill 2026 reaffirming that while electronic transmission remains permitted the signed Form EC8A will serve as the primary record where network failure occurs.