The biggest bone of contention was whether to mandate the real-time electronic upload of results from polling units to the IReV (INEC Result Viewing) portal.
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- The Senate’s Initial Stance: They rejected making it mandatory, preferring to leave the method of transmission to INEC’s discretion.
- The House of Reps’ Push: The House pushed for full electronic transmission to prevent “mid-way” manipulation during physical collation.
- The Compromise: In the final bill, lawmakers approved electronic transmission but added Clause 60, which acts as a safeguard. If the electronic upload fails due to internet issues, the physical Form EC8A (the result sheet signed at the polling unit) remains the primary legal authority for collation.
2. BVAS Gets “Full Legal Teeth”
One of the major wins in the 2026 Act is the explicit legal backing for the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). Unlike in previous legal battles where its role was questioned, the new law gives BVAS full legal authority. This means that if the number of votes cast exceeds the number of accredited voters recorded on the BVAS, that polling unit’s results are automatically canceled.
3. Drastic Shifts in Election Timelines
The 2026 Act has significantly “compressed” the electoral calendar, which has sparked some concern among political analysts:
- Election Notice: INEC’s notice period for an election has been reduced from 360 days to 180 days.
- Candidate Lists: Political parties must now submit their final lists of candidates 90 days before the polls, down from the previous nearly one-year lead time. Critics warn this might lead to “chaotic” campaign seasons and rushed legal petitions.
4. New Protections & Penalties
To curb the “business” of election rigging and fraud, the Act introduces:
- NIN-Linked Registration: Voter registration is now strictly linked to the National Identification Number (NIN). Fraudulent or multiple registrations now carry heavy fines (up to ₦5 million) and potential jail time.
- Early Voting: For the first time, a provision has been made for early voting for electoral officials and security personnel who are usually on duty during election days.
- Prisoner Voting Rights: Following recent court rulings, the Act includes provisions to allow eligible inmates in correctional facilities to exercise their right to vote.
