By Mercy Adi
The Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balogun, has announced plans to replace the current 2022 Electoral Act with a new 2025 version. This move aims to address the gaps and inconsistencies exposed during the 2023 elections.
He made the announcement at a consultative meeting with security operatives and the technical committee on electoral law amendments in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
He said, “The 2022 Electoral Act was a significant step forward, but its implementation in the last general election showed areas that needed improvement,” Balogun said. “We are committed to strengthening our electoral laws to reflect the realities of our democracy.”
Balogun emphasized the need for increased awareness among political parties, INEC officials, and civil society organizations on the dangers of vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.
“The Nigerian people deserve an electoral process they can trust. We must ensure that our laws are not just strong on paper but are also effectively enforced.”
The Senate Chairman on Electoral Matters, Sharafadeen Alli, echoed Balogun’s sentiments, stating that the 2022 Electoral Act’s implementation revealed gaps that must be closed.
“This meeting is a step towards strengthening our electoral system. The reforms we propose must reflect lessons learned from past elections and ensure that our democracy continues to evolve positively.”
INEC Director of Litigation and Prosecution, Tanimu Muhammed, highlighted the growing concern over vote-buying, which has become a major threat to Nigeria’s democratic process.
“Vote-buying remains one of the biggest threats to credible elections in Nigeria. We need legislation that not only criminalizes this practice but also puts preventive measures in place.”
Muhammed suggested that individuals should not be allowed to carry more than ₦50,000 within polling areas to curb vote-buying.
The commission urged lawmakers to prioritize amendments that would close loopholes exploited by political actors.
Beyond vote-buying, INEC officials reiterated their long-standing demand for the establishment of an Electoral Offenses Commission, arguing that the electoral body lacks the capacity to effectively prosecute offenders.
“INEC is doing its best to handle prosecutions, but we need a dedicated institution with the legal authority and resources to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes comprehensively,” Muhammed stated.
“The creation of an Electoral Offenses Commission would ensure that vote-buying, ballot snatching, and other crimes are met with swift legal action,” he added.
The Ondo state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, emphasized that reducing cash transactions at polling units would make it harder for politicians to influence voters with financial inducements.
Security agencies reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring free and fair elections, despite acknowledging challenges in logistics and coordination. Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle stated, “We face major logistical challenges, from deploying officers to remote areas to ensuring real-time communication during elections.”
Key Reforms Proposed:
Electoral Offenses Commission: INEC officials reiterated their demand for a dedicated institution to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes comprehensively.
Stricter Laws: INEC called for laws prohibiting the possession of large sums of money within polling areas to curb vote-buying.
Increased Awareness: Balogun emphasized the need for awareness among political parties, INEC officials, and civil society organizations on the dangers of electoral malpractices.
Judicial Inconsistencies: Addressing conflicting judicial interpretations of electoral laws to establish clarity and predictability in electoral adjudication.
Election Dispute Resolution: Streamlining election dispute resolution timelines to ensure that pre-election cases are resolved before general elections and post-election disputes are concluded before the swearing-in of elected officials.
Penalties for Electoral Offences: Reviewing penalties for electoral offences to ensure stronger sanctions that deter malpractices and ensure credible elections.