E-X-P-O-S-E-D-! Electoral Law 2026 allows politicians to print ballot papers – Mike Igini, former INEC REC
*Warns flawed provisions in Act will compromise 2027 elections
He added that, “A stone seen coming should not blind the eye because this is the foundation. The ballot is the foundation.”
A former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Mike Igini, has called on the Commission to urgently push for amendments to the Electoral Act 2026, warning that certain provisions could undermine the credibility of future elections.
Speaking in an interview on Arise News Television, Igini said, “I want to advise INEC to go back to the National Assembly of Nigeria to call for amendments, for the repeal of this Section 63 as quickly as possible.”
He added that, “A stone seen coming should not blind the eye because this is the foundation. The ballot is the foundation.”
Igini criticised provisions that allow the acceptance of ballot papers without proper identification, stating, “You are saying that a ballot paper that does not have the serial number or the official mark of INEC should be accepted. You now give a discretion to a presiding officer.”
Section 63 (as displayed in his explanation):
Rejection Of Ballot Paper Without official Mark
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a ballot paper which does not bear official mark prescribed by the Commissioner shall not be counted.
(2) where the returning officer is satisfied that a ballot paper which does not bear the official mark was from a book of ballot papers which was furnished to the Presiding Officer of the polling unit in which the vote was cast for use at the election in question, he or she shall, notwithstanding the absence of the official mark, count that ballot paper.
He expressed concern over the role of ad-hoc staff in elections, noting that many lack proper training and orientation. “Those who actually conduct elections on election day are not the core regular staff of INEC. They are ad-hoc staff who have not been given the orientation about the mission of INEC,” he said.
The former REC also shared past experiences to highlight vulnerabilities in the system. “Somebody that was arrested in my office, a presiding officer, had all these cards. He was going to find his way into the ad-hoc recruitment process,” he said, alleging that such individuals could be used to manipulate elections.
He further alleged attempts to compromise election officials, saying, “Politicians went to share money for presiding officers—dollars. Some of them came to me.”
According to him, certain legal provisions create a sense of immunity among election officials. “They pointed out to them this section, that nothing will happen to them. They will not be invited to tribunal,” he said.
Igini also raised concerns about judicial interpretation of electoral laws, stating, “We expect what we call a purposive interpretation… It is now the duty of the court to advance the remedy and suppress the mischief. That has not been happening.”
Warning ahead of the 2027 elections, he said, “You already have provisions that will undermine the entire elections,” urging immediate action to address the gaps in the law.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH IGINI ON VIDEO EXTRACT
