Nigeria’s 2026 Electoral Act: Reform or Risk to Democracy?

The recent signing of the Electoral Act 2026 has reignited familiar concerns about sudden rule changes on the eve of elections. While reforms can strengthen our system, shifting the goalposts at the last minute undermines accountability and stokes legal battles. Key among the changes is the removal of “qualification” as a ground for election petitions under Section 138. This could allow candidates who fail constitutional requirements—age, education or integrity—to benefit from a statutory shield once in office, eroding the supreme law of our land. Another contentious provision is the 21-day deadline for digital party registers under Section 77(5). In theory, it curbs fraud. In practice, it may let party leaders exclude dissenting members before primaries, turning internal contests into shadow shows. For Africa’s largest democracy, disposable electoral laws risk a slow death of choice and trust. As the courts weigh these provisions, public scrutiny must demand that elections remain a shield for the voter, not a weapon for the powerful.

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