The Electoral Act 2026, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, introduces major reforms including the abolition of delegate voting in primaries and limits on court interventions in elections.
The Electoral Act 2026, signed into law on February 18 by President Bola Tinubu, supersedes the Electoral Act 2022 and brings sweeping changes to Nigeria’s electoral system. The amendments focus on party primaries, membership registers, and the judicial role in election disputes, aiming to improve transparency and broaden participation in political processes.
Among the notable changes, Section 84(2) of the law abolishes delegate voting during party primaries, requiring that candidates be nominated either through direct primaries involving all party members or by consensus among stakeholders. This reform seeks to reduce the influence of delegate blocs and curb the exchange of cash or material inducements during candidate selection.
The law also restricts the power of courts to halt primaries or elections, a move intended to ensure that electoral processes proceed without legal interruptions. Observers say this provision could accelerate the conduct of elections while encouraging political parties to resolve internal disputes swiftly and transparently.
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