Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has raised concerns over changes made to the Electoral Act 2026, saying the final version deviates significantly from the original reform proposal.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Monday, Kingibe said the document developed by stakeholders was altered after extensive consultations.
She said she was part of the electoral reform committee that worked for about two years on a draft designed to ensure free and fair elections.
“We worked on a document that was acceptable,” she said.
According to her, the process involved a bicameral sitting, with participation from the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and civil society organisations.
However, she said the final version of the act did not reflect the outcome of those deliberations.
“We brought it, and every aspect of it was turned upside down,” she said.
Kingibe also questioned provisions that appear to weaken the use of electoral technology.
“Why go to the expense of electronic and digital devices if you say you don’t have to use them?” she asked.
BACKGROUND
Her comments follow concerns raised by former INEC commissioner Mike Igini, who warned that certain sections of the act, particularly section 63, could allow the use of ballot papers without standard security features if approved by a presiding officer.
Kingibe said such provisions were not part of the original draft reviewed by the committee.
“Since when have we conducted elections where ballot papers did not have security measures?” she asked.
She added that there is a need to revisit the law, noting that amendments could still be made if there is sufficient public pressure.
“If there’s enough pressure, it will be amended,” she said.
