- He stressed that a ballot paper represents a legal instrument whose authenticity is central to the legitimacy of any election outcome
- He maintained that such ambiguity could ultimately undermine public confidence and distort the will of voters
- Atiku emphasized that democracy depends on clear and transparent rules
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the National Assembly of Nigeria to urgently review aspects of the Electoral Act, warning that a controversial provision could weaken the credibility of elections if not addressed.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Eko Hot Blog reports that the African Democratic Congress chieftain raised concerns over Section 63 of the law.
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He argued that the clause, which allows a ballot paper without an official mark to be accepted at the discretion of a returning officer, creates room for potential abuse.
According to Atiku, lawmakers ought to have exercised greater caution when dealing with provisions that directly impact the integrity of the electoral process.
He stressed that a ballot paper represents a legal instrument whose authenticity is central to the legitimacy of any election outcome.
The former vice president warned that allowing discretion in determining the validity of ballots introduces uncertainty and opens the door to manipulation.
He maintained that such ambiguity could ultimately undermine public confidence and distort the will of voters.
He further noted that the disputed provision is not entirely new, describing it as a carryover from previous electoral frameworks that was retained in the current law without adequate safeguards.
Atiku emphasized that democracy depends on clear and transparent rules, insisting that ballot validity should be based on strict standards rather than subjective judgment.
He cautioned that retaining such a clause at a time when Nigerians are demanding accountability could erode trust in the electoral system.
He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to strengthen its operational guidelines to ensure that electoral officials are not placed in positions where personal discretion could override established procedures.
In addition, he appealed to the international community and election observers to closely monitor Nigeria’s electoral legal framework, stressing that the credibility of future elections depends not only on the conduct of polls but also on the laws guiding them.
Atiku further urged Bola Tinubu to subject critical legislation to thorough scrutiny before giving assent, noting that leadership requires vigilance in safeguarding democratic institutions.
President Tinubu had on February 18 signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, shortly after its passage by the National Assembly.
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