The National Assembly, ahead of the 2027 general elections, has proposed that presidential and governorship elections be held in November 2026, instead of the usual February or March of the election year.

This proposal is contained in the draft amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, discussed on Monday during a one-day public hearing organised by the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, chaired by Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South).

DAILY POST reports that Section 4(7) of the proposed amendment stipulates that elections into the offices of President and Governor of a State shall be conducted not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent.

Given that the current administration’s tenure ends on May 29, 2027, the next presidential and governorship elections would therefore be held around November 2026, as 185 days before May 29 falls within that period.

Similarly, the proposal for federal and state legislative elections under Section 4(5) states that such polls “shall be held not later than 185 days before the date on which each of the Houses stands dissolved.”

According to the lawmakers, the amendment seeks to provide ample time for the resolution of electoral disputes before the swearing-in of winners.

Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balogun, explained that the amendment would help prevent situations where court cases continue after elected officials have assumed office.

“We are proposing that all election litigations be concluded before the swearing-in of declared winners.

“To achieve this, we are recommending that the current 180 days allowed for tribunal judgments be reduced to 90 days, while appellate and Supreme Court decisions should each take no more than 60 days, all within 185 days before inauguration,” Balogun said.

He added that the proposal would also necessitate corresponding amendments to Sections 285 and 139 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to align with the new electoral timeline.

2027: NASS proposes November 2026 for presidential, governorship elections