2027: Citizens deserve access – CSOs demand immediate public release of signed Electoral Act
Civil Society Advocates for Transparency in Nigeria’s Electoral Act
The Civil Society Network on Election Integrity has urged the Nigerian government to promptly release copies of the signed Electoral Act for public access. The organization emphasizes that citizens should be fully informed of the law governing their electoral rights.
During a citizens’ town hall meeting in Abuja on Sunday, the Network called on the National Assembly to review sections of the Act that introduce new rules and ambiguities that might facilitate electoral manipulation.
Samson Itodo, a representative from Yiaga Africa, highlighted the importance of maintaining public trust in the Electoral Act. He expressed concerns over potential loopholes that could be exploited by political actors as Nigeria prepares for upcoming elections.
“It is essential that the new law strengthens accountability and shared responsibility,” Itodo stated. “Citizens want to know if their votes will genuinely count.”
He emphasized the need to critically assess the law, identifying gaps and determining whether existing safeguards are sufficient for implementation. Itodo noted, “Laws protect democracy not merely through existence, but through their integrity in execution, public scrutiny, and oversight.”
He added that factors such as the quality of electoral preparations, resource management transparency, the professionalism of election officials, and the independence of security agencies are critical to the credibility of the elections.
Professor Okechukwu Ibeanu, a political science professor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, expressed concerns about the recent amendments to the Electoral Act, suggesting they might regress Nigeria to the debates of 2018 regarding electronic transmission of results.
“I believe the amendments take us back to when Nigerians firmly advocated for electronic transmission as a means of safeguarding their votes,” Ibeanu remarked. He encouraged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clarify regulations and guidelines related to the Act’s provisions.
“I think we often misinterpret the electoral legislation as a comprehensive solution to our challenges. We have allowed politicians—who should be regulated—to lead the amendments,” Ibeanu noted, stressing that such an approach often favors political interests over protecting citizens’ votes.
The meeting underscored the urgent need to address and refine the Electoral Act to ensure it effectively serves the democratic process in Nigeria.
