The Civil Society Network on Election Integrity and the Electoral Act has urged the Federal Government to immediately release copies of the newly signed Electoral Act 2026 to the public, insisting that Nigerians deserve unrestricted access to the law that will regulate their votes.
The group also called on the National Assembly to urgently revisit sections of the amended Act that introduce fresh rules and ambiguities which, according to stakeholders, could open the door to electoral manipulation.
Speaking at a citizens’ town hall meeting in Abuja on Sunday, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, stressed that the Electoral Act must consolidate public trust rather than create loopholes that political actors could exploit.
“As we prepare to vote, one question lingers in the minds of Nigerians: Will the Electoral Act of 2026 strengthen the sanctity of the ballot, or is it merely a refinement of the mechanics of contestation?” Itodo asked.
He noted that citizens are demanding stronger guarantees that their votes will count, adding that the law must reinforce accountability and shared responsibility in the electoral process.
“The new law must strengthen accountability because citizens are asking, if we vote, will our vote truly become the ballot? We are here to interrogate the law, identify its gaps and strengths, and determine whether its safeguards are sufficient,” he said.
Itodo emphasized that legislation alone cannot safeguard democracy without proper implementation, transparency, and oversight. He highlighted the importance of thorough preparation, transparent resource management, professionalism among election officials, and the independence of security agencies as critical elements for credible elections.
“The quality of preparations, the transparency of resource management, the professionalism of election officials, how political aspirants restrain themselves, and more importantly, the independence and integrity of security agencies — these are what form the credibility of an election,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Professor Okechukwu Ibeanu, a political science scholar at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, expressed concern that the amended Act appears to roll back progress made in the debate over electronic transmission of results.
“In my opinion, the Act takes us back, probably to 2018, when those debates were had in this country. Nigerians were clear in insisting that electronic transmission is essential for protecting their votes,” Ibeanu said.
He called for a fresh review of Sections 16, 52, and 64 of the Act, noting that they require further clarification to prevent confusion in implementation.
Ibeanu urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to develop clear regulations and guidelines to address ambiguities in the law.
“It is important for INEC to realise the responsibility it has as an organisation to make the necessary regulations and bring clarity to these provisions. It may not be easy, but with citizens’ support, it is possible,” he said.
The professor also criticized the process of amending the Electoral Act, arguing that lawmakers—who are themselves political actors—often drive changes that may prioritise political interests over the protection of voters’ rights.
“We consistently interpret the Electoral Act as if it holds all the answers to our electoral problems. Yet, we handed the process of amending it to politicians — the same people meant to regulate their own behaviour. The implication is that amendments may serve political calculations rather than defend the votes of citizens,” he stated.
The town hall meeting forms part of ongoing civil society engagement aimed at ensuring that Nigeria’s electoral legal framework strengthens, rather than weakens, democratic accountability ahead of future elections.
Comments