A former Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, has called for immediate amendments to Nigeria’s electoral laws, warning that existing provisions could undermine the credibility of future elections if left unaddressed.
Igini made the call while presenting a paper at the opposition leaders’ summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, focusing on key process and outcome indicators required for credible elections.
He stressed that the foundation of any credible electoral process lies in the clarity and consistency of the law, noting that electoral provisions must be unambiguous to all stakeholders.
Igini raised concerns over what he described as “troubling provisions” in the current legal framework, questioning whether members of the National Assembly fully considered their implications.
He urged political parties to engage lawmakers and push for urgent amendments to strengthen the system.
The former electoral commissioner highlighted grey areas in provisions relating to result transmission and ballot integrity, warning that certain clauses could override core safeguards and weaken the electoral process.
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He also called for stricter oversight of ballot paper production, including enhanced security features and monitoring mechanisms to prevent manipulation.
Drawing from international experience, Igini cited Ghana as a model where political parties demand transparency in the production and auditing of electoral materials.
Reflecting on past elections, he recalled the early adoption of electronic transmission of results in Cross River State, noting that all 18 local government results were transmitted live as far back as 2012—demonstrating that technology-driven transparency is achievable with the right legal backing.
He warned that unless these legal gaps are urgently addressed, Nigeria’s preparedness for future elections could be significantly compromised.
Editor: Ada Ononye
