The National Assembly has doubled campaign spending limits in the Electoral Act 2026, raising presidential candidates’ ceiling from N5 billion to N10 billion and governorship limit from N1 billion to N3 billion. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed the revisions, citing “prevailing economic realities and rising campaign costs.” Other increases: Senate seats from N100m to N500m; House of Representatives from N70m to N250m; State Assembly from N30m to N100m; council chairmanship from N30m to N60m; councillorship from N5m to N10m.
The Act introduces stricter penalties: two years imprisonment or N500,000-N2m fines for vote buying, impersonation, result manipulation. Section 60(6) prescribes six months imprisonment or N500,000 fine for presiding officers who “willfully frustrates” electronic transmission of results. RECs must release documents within 24 hours after payment, failure attracting minimum two years imprisonment without fine option.
Key Points:
Doubled spending limits raise concerns about money politics and exclusion.
Stricter penalties aim to deter electoral offences and enhance credibility.
Wealthy candidates gain advantage, while grassroots aspirants face barriers.
This signals the escalating cost of Nigerian elections.
The timing, with 2027 approaching, sets new financial benchmarks.
Electoral Act 2026 doubles presidential campaign limit to N10bn, introduces stricter penalties for vote buying, result manipulation ahead of 2027.Read Original/Read Complete.
Sources: The Cable, National Assembly
