Mike Igini, former resident electoral commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom state, has raised concerns over provisions in the Electoral Act that may undermine the integrity of future elections.
Igini spoke on Prime Time on Arise TV on Wednesday.
He said a review of the law revealed what he described as “dangerous provisions”, particularly in Section 63, which he claimed allows presiding officers to accept ballot papers that do not carry INEC’s official security features.
According to him, the provision gives wide discretion to electoral officers to determine the validity of such ballots.
“What that means is that politicians who have access to INEC ballot features may produce their own ballot papers, and they will be accepted,” he said.
Igini warned that this could open the door to manipulation at the polling unit level if not addressed.
He also raised concerns about other sections of the law, including provisions he said limit the ability of election petitioners to challenge irregularities.
The former commissioner cited Section 138, which he said allows electoral officers to act contrary to INEC guidelines without such actions automatically invalidating an election.
He added that Section 137 makes it unnecessary to join certain electoral officers as respondents in election petitions, a move he said weakens accountability.
Igini said the combined effect of these provisions could make it harder to prove electoral malpractice in court.
He urged Nigerians, particularly legal practitioners and stakeholders, to scrutinise the law and push for necessary amendments before future elections.
He also called on the judiciary to play its role as the “last line of defence” in protecting democracy.
