Tinubu Signs Amended Electoral Act, Igniting Fears Over 2027 Election Integrity
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has signed a controversial amendment to the Electoral Act into law a move critics warn could undermine the transparency of the 2027 general elections.
While Tinubu defended the changes as a means to provide “greater clarity” and strengthen electoral procedures, opposition leaders and civil society groups argue the revision strips away critical safeguards. At the heart of the dispute is the removal of a clause mandating the real-time electronic transmission of results. Lawmakers had previously passed a version requiring direct uploads from polling units to INEC, but the Senate rejected that approach.
Under the new provision, electronic transmission is optional and dependent on internet availability, defaulting to paper-based confirmation when connectivity fails. The opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has labeled the amendment an “existential threat” to Nigerian democracy.
