Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) involved in election observation and civic advocacy have described the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu as a missed opportunity.

Specifically, they described the signing of the legislation as the darkest day in the history of democracy in Nigeria.

This is even as they called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately publish a revised timetable and schedule for the 2027 general elections, in the light of the new 300-day notice requirement under the Electoral Act 2026.

The groups said the decision of the Presidency to grant assent without addressing the substantive legal, technical, and democratic concerns signals a troubling prioritisation of political expediency over electoral integrity.

According to them, electoral reform should be guided by broad consultation and consensus, not compressed timelines and executive finality.

The electoral law, they noted, contains significant flaws that will undermine electoral integrity, entrench incumbency advantage, and exclude millions of Nigerians from meaningful political participation.

The CSOs made their position known in a joint press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

The organisations are Yiaga Africa, The Kukah Centre, Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), International Press Centre (IPC), ElectHER, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, and TAF Africa.

More to follow…