Nigeria
The three main Laws governing Elections in Nigeria are the 1999 Constitution (as amended), The Electoral Act 2022, and INEC Policies, Regulations, and Guidelines.
Understanding the electoral legal framework
Explore the laws, constitutional provisions, regulations and institutional guidelines that shape the conduct of elections and electoral governance in Nigeria, West Africa and across Africa.
Electoral laws and institutions
The legal foundations of elections
Electoral laws provide the legal foundation for democratic elections. They establish the responsibilities of electoral institutions, define the rights and obligations of stakeholders, regulate electoral activities and provide mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes.
Constitutional provisions
Constitutional provisions establish the institutions, powers and principles that guide the electoral system.
Electoral legislation
Electoral Acts provide rules for voter registration, political parties, elections, electoral offences and election petitions.
Regulations and guidelines
Electoral regulations and guidelines translate legal provisions into practical procedures for election administration.
Nigeria
Nigeria's Electoral Legal Framework
Nigeria's electoral framework is built around the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and the regulations and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Explore the available legislation and supporting resources below.
Current Electoral Legislation
Download ActElectoral Act, 2026
The Electoral Act 2026 is the current legislation regulating federal, state and FCT Area Council elections in Nigeria. It repeals the Electoral Act 2022.
Electoral legal framework
Electoral Legal Framework
Here, you can find out about the laws governing the elections of different countries.
West Africa
There are sixteen countries in West Africa. These are: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Each of these countries has peculiar laws governing their elections, as shown below.
Africa
There are 54 countries in Africa. These are: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo-Brazzaville, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Each of these countries has peculiar laws governing their elections, as shown below.
Get in touch
Contact The Electoral HubInterested in research, civic education or collaboration?
Contact us with an enquiry or to discuss opportunities to work together.