Civil Society Slams Tinubu Over Electoral Act 2026

By Oluwakemi Kindness

A coalition of civil society organisations, including the Kukah Centre, Yiaga Africa, TAF Africa, the Centre for Media and Society, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, and Elect Her, on Thursday criticized President Bola Tinubu’s assent to the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026.

The coalition described the law as “a missed opportunity for transformative electoral reform” and raised concerns over the speed and transparency of the legislative process.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Founder and CEO of TAF Africa, Jake Epelle, said:

“The civil society organisations acknowledge the passage of the Electoral Bill 2026 by the National Assembly and the presidential assent that followed, but warn that the process fell short of democratic standards. The speed and opacity raise serious concerns about legislative transparency and the commitment of lawmakers to genuine electoral reform.”

Epelle also criticized the imposition of a ₦50 million administrative fee for new political party registration, describing it as “a financial moat designed to exclude grassroots movements, youth-led parties, and non-elite political formations from formal competition.”

On party primaries, he said restricting nomination methods to direct primaries or consensus could increase the risk of vote-buying and manipulation.
Despite the criticisms, the coalition urged the National Assembly to publish the assented version of the Electoral Act and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections, issue comprehensive regulations, and conduct a nationwide simulation of electronic transmission across all polling units.

“We also urge INEC to urgently release a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections in line with the new 300-day notice requirement, issue comprehensive regulations to clarify ambiguous provisions, and conduct a nationwide simulation of electronic transmission across all polling units,” Epelle added.

The coalition said it would continue to monitor the implementation of the law ahead of the next general election, despite its reservations.