A former Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, has issued a strong warning that Nigeria’s current electoral laws contain serious weaknesses that could undermine the credibility of future elections if they are not urgently amended.
Speaking while presenting a paper at the opposition leaders summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, Igini focused on the critical process and outcome indicators required to ensure credible elections. He emphasized that the strength of any electoral system depends heavily on the clarity and consistency of its legal framework, stressing that all provisions must be clear and unambiguous to every stakeholder involved in the process.
Igini expressed concern over what he described as troubling provisions in the existing laws, questioning whether members of the National Assembly fully understood the consequences of the clauses they enacted. He called on political parties to actively engage lawmakers and advocate for immediate amendments that would reinforce the integrity of the electoral system.
He pointed to grey areas in key provisions governing result transmission and ballot integrity, warning that certain clauses could override essential safeguards and weaken the overall process. According to him, these gaps create opportunities for manipulation and reduce public confidence in election outcomes.
The former commissioner also highlighted the need for stricter oversight in the production of ballot papers. He recommended the introduction of stronger security features and more robust monitoring mechanisms to prevent tampering and ensure transparency throughout the process.
Drawing from international examples, Igini cited Ghana as a model where political parties insist on transparency in the production and auditing of electoral materials, a practice he believes Nigeria should adopt to strengthen trust in its elections.
Reflecting on past experiences, he recalled the early use of electronic transmission of results in Cross River State, where all 18 local government results were transmitted live as far back as 2012. He said this demonstrated that technology driven transparency is achievable when supported by the right legal framework.
Igini concluded with a stark warning that unless these legal gaps are urgently addressed, Nigeria’s readiness for future elections could be significantly compromised, putting the credibility of the democratic process at risk.
