Former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini, has raised alarm over the new Amended 2026 Electoral Act.
Igini while speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, said sections 63 and 138 of the Electoral Act will sabotage voting at the polling level.
The former INEC commissioner who has been a strong critic of the electoral system in Nigeria, argued that section 63 of the Electoral Act has reintroduced what he described as ‘something very dangerous’.
According to section 63: “A ballot paper used for the 2027 election that does not bear INEC’s official manufacturer and security features may be accepted by the presiding officer.”
He argued that by implication, the presiding officer has been given the discretion to accept ballot papers notwithstanding the absence of the official mark, and to count such ballot papers.
“This means that politicians who has access to INEC security features can print their own ballot papers on the election day. This is very dangerous”, Igini said.
Speaking further, he said section 138 has been one of the rigging provisions stakeholders over time have cried out for it to be removed.
According to section 138: “An act or omission which may be contrary to the instruction or directive of the commission or of an officer appointed for the purpose of the election but which is not contrary to the provisions of this Act shall not of itself be a ground for questioning the election”.
He said despite concerted efforts made for it to be removed in 2019, the authorities refused to act.
With this flaws in the new amended Electoral Act, Mr. Igini added, the 2027 elections is already in jeopardy.
