Nigeria Tightens Electoral Rules as Tinubu Signs Reform Bill, INEC Deploys Anti-Graft Agencies
President Tinubu signs Electoral Act Amendment 2026 clarifying electronic result transmission as supportive rather than mandatory, while INEC mobilizes EFCC and ICPC to combat vote buying ahead of FCT elections.
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President Bola Tinubu has signed the Electoral Act Amendment 2026 into law, establishing that electronic transmission of election results serves as a supportive mechanism rather than a mandatory replacement for manual transmission in Nigeria. The move comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) mobilizes anti-corruption agencies to combat electoral malpractices ahead of Saturday's Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections.
The new legislation clarifies the role of technology in Nigeria's electoral process. According to Vanguard News, Tinubu stated that "electronic transmission of election results is merely supportive and not a replacement for manual transmission." The amendment resolves a contentious debate that has divided lawmakers and civil society groups over the past year regarding the mandatory nature of electronic result transmission.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike praised the president's swift action. "The move is a significant step in deepening Nigeria's democratic process," Wike said in a statement issued Wednesday through his Senior Special Assistant, according to Vanguard News. The minister's endorsement comes as his territory prepares for crucial local elections under the new legal framework.
Anti-Corruption Crackdown Intensifies
INEC has issued an "express mandate" to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to apprehend vote buyers during the FCT Area Council elections, Vanguard News reported. The deployment represents an escalation in efforts to curb electoral fraud ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission's warning against electoral malpractice signals heightened enforcement as Nigeria tests its reformed electoral framework. The FCT poll will serve as the first major electoral test under the amended legislation, providing insights into how the supportive electronic transmission system functions alongside traditional manual processes.
Saturday's elections will see both EFCC and ICPC officers deployed to polling stations across the FCT. The anti-corruption agencies will work alongside INEC officials and security personnel to monitor financial transactions and arrest individuals attempting to purchase votes.
Concerns Over Technical Capacity
Political analyst Olu Fasan has raised concerns about Nigeria's readiness for electronic transmission, even in a supportive capacity. Writing in Vanguard News, Fasan warned that "a technical glitch in 2027 will unsettle Nigeria," pointing to two fundamental challenges: "Nigeria's utterly weak state capacity" and "the total lack of institutional independence."
Fasan's analysis highlights the gap between legislative intent and practical implementation. Even with electronic transmission designated as supportive rather than mandatory, technical failures could still trigger disputes if manual and electronic results diverge significantly during the 2027 presidential election.
The debate over electronic transmission has divided Nigerian stakeholders since the 2023 general elections, when technical issues with INEC's result viewing portal sparked widespread controversy. Civil society organizations had pushed for mandatory real-time electronic transmission to enhance transparency and reduce result manipulation at collation centers.
Testing Ground for 2027
The FCT Area Council elections will provide the first practical test of the amended electoral framework. INEC's dual approach—combining technological support with traditional manual processes while deploying anti-corruption agencies—represents an attempt to balance innovation with reliability in Nigeria's electoral system.
The commission has not disclosed the number of EFCC and ICPC officers being deployed or the specific strategies they will employ to identify vote buyers. Previous elections have seen allegations of widespread vote buying, with political parties accused of distributing cash and goods to voters at polling units.
The Electoral Act Amendment 2026 comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, when Nigeria will elect a new president, National Assembly members, and state governors. The legislation's clarification on electronic transmission aims to prevent the legal disputes that marred previous electoral cycles, though critics argue it may reduce transparency by not making electronic transmission mandatory.
As Nigeria moves toward its next electoral cycle, the success of Saturday's FCT elections will likely influence public confidence in both the amended electoral law and INEC's capacity to conduct credible polls. The outcome will also test whether the deployment of anti-corruption agencies can effectively deter vote buying in a political environment where cash-for-votes remains a persistent challenge.