Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the National Assembly to urgently review parts of the Electoral Act, warning that a controversial provision could weaken the credibility of elections if left unchanged.
In a statement issued through his aide, he criticised Section 63 of the law, which allows a ballot paper without an official mark to be accepted at the discretion of a returning officer. According to him, such a clause creates room for manipulation and threatens the integrity of the voting process.
He stressed that ballot papers are vital legal instruments and should not be subject to personal interpretation. He warned that any ambiguity in validating votes could lead to disputes and erode public trust in the electoral system.
The former presidential candidate noted that the provision is not entirely new but was carried over from previous electoral laws without adequate safeguards. He argued that leaving such decisions to individual judgment could compromise the true will of voters.
He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to strengthen its guidelines to ensure that electoral officials rely strictly on clear and verifiable standards.
Additionally, he urged international observers and democratic partners to closely monitor Nigeria’s electoral framework, emphasizing that both the law and its implementation play key roles in ensuring credible elections.
The Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) was recently signed into law by Bola Tinubu following its passage by lawmakers, shortly after the release of the timetable for the 2027 general elections.
