The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association revised the timetable for the 2026 NBA National Elections on 3 July 2026, moving the poll from Monday, 20 July to Saturday, 18 July, with results now due Sunday, 19 July.
The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has revised the timetable for the 2026 NBA National Elections, moving the poll from Monday, 20 July to Saturday, 18 July 2026.
The ECNBA announced the change on 3 July 2026, in a notice published on the NBA Blog on 4 July 2026, stating that the decision was reached following its meeting with candidates on 2 July 2026, and after considering requests from stakeholders for the election to hold on a weekend, to enable wider participation by eligible voters, "in line with previous NBA elections."
The ECNBA said the revised timetable was issued pursuant to its powers under the Constitution of the Nigerian Bar Association, 2015 (as amended in 2025), and is intended to promote a more inclusive, transparent and credible electoral process.
Results of the election will now be declared on Sunday, 19 July 2026, according to the ECNBA notice, which added that the revised timetable supersedes all previous schedules to the extent of any inconsistency.
Key activities under the revised timetable include voter sensitisation sessions across the Northern, Western and Eastern zones, branch-by-branch publication of eligible voters, a two-day verification window, a hybrid debate for candidates, publication of the final voters' register, mock voting exercises, and security audits of the electronic voting platform. All campaign activities are to cease by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, 17 July 2026.
On election day, Saturday, 18 July 2026, voting will run from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. WAT, with eligible voters required to authenticate using their SCN and OTP before casting their votes. Accredited agents of candidates will be permitted at the ECNBA Secretariat throughout the voting process.
Collation, audit validation and security verification of results will follow on Sunday, 19 July 2026, ahead of the official declaration. Election petitions must be filed no later than Saturday, 25 July 2026, with the National Officers Election Appeals Committee expected to determine all petitions by Sunday, 16 August 2026.
The ECNBA reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a free, fair, transparent, all-inclusive and credible 2026 NBA National Election.
