This was revealed in Abuja on Monday by the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters during a public hearing on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, which seeks to conclude all election petitions before the handover date of May 29, 2027.
“Elections into the office of the President and Governor of a State shall be held not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office,” a report by the Punch read.
According to the House Committee Chair on Electoral Matters, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, the National Assembly aims to change Sections 285 and 139 of the 1999 Constitution by shortening tribunal judgements from 180 to 90 days and appeal court decisions from 90 to 60 days and ensuring the full judicial process is completed within 185 days.
Accordingly, the polls would be held in November 2026, about six months prior to the end of the tenure of the current administration’s term in office.
Early voting for specific groups of Nigerians, including security personnel, INEC employees, accredited media, and observers, at least 14 days prior to election day, is one of the other important recommendations.
The amendments could prompt the conduct of presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly elections on the same day.
