The Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Adebayo Balogun has announced plans for a 2025 Electoral Act to replace the current 2022 version.
Balogun said the old version had exposed gaps during the 2023 elections.
He made the announcement at a consultative meeting with security operatives and the technical committee on electoral law amendments in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
“The 2022 Electoral Act was a significant step forward, but its implementation in the last general election showed areas that needed improvement. We are committed to strengthening our electoral laws to reflect the realities of our democracy,” Balogun said.
Increase Awareness
He emphasised that, apart from legislative reforms, there was a need for increased awareness among political parties, INEC officials, and civil society organisations on the dangers of vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.
“The Nigerian people deserve an electoral process they can trust. We must ensure that our laws are not just strong on paper but are also effectively enforced,” Balogun said.
He also assured the forum that all issues discussed would be addressed in future electoral reforms.
The Senate Chairman on Electoral Matters, Sharafadeen Alli, said that while the 2022 Electoral Act was initially considered comprehensive, its implementation revealed gaps that must be closed.
“This meeting is a step towards strengthening our electoral system. The reforms we propose must reflect lessons learned from past elections and ensure that our democracy continues to evolve positively,” Alli said.
Enact Stricter Laws
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC called on the National Assembly to enact stricter laws prohibiting the possession of large sums of money within polling areas as part of efforts to curb vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.
Speaking at the consultative meeting, the INEC Director of Litigation and Prosecution, Mr. Tanimu Muhammed SAN, highlighted the growing concern over vote-buying, which has become a major threat to Nigeria’s democratic process.
The INEC representative noted that politicians often justify carrying large amounts of cash on election day by citing party agent payments and logistical expenses.
Vote Buying
However, he warned that unrestricted cash circulation at polling units has fueled vote-buying and compromised the integrity of elections.
To address this challenge, Muhammed suggested that individuals should not be allowed to carry more than ₦50,000 within polling areas.
“Vote-buying remains one of the biggest threats to credible elections in Nigeria. We need legislation that not only criminalizes this practice but also puts preventive measures in place,” Muhammed stated.
The commission urged lawmakers to prioritize amendments that would close loopholes exploited by political actors.
Electoral Offenses Commission
Beyond vote-buying, INEC officials reiterated their long-standing demand for the establishment of an Electoral Offenses Commission, arguing that the electoral body lacks the capacity to effectively prosecute offenders.
“INEC is doing its best to handle prosecutions, but we need a dedicated institution with the legal authority and resources to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes comprehensively,” Muhammed stated.
“The creation of an Electoral Offenses Commission would ensure that vote-buying, ballot snatching, and other crimes are met with swift legal action,” he added.
The Ondo state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Oluwatoyin Babalola, emphasised that reducing cash transactions at polling units would make it harder for politicians to influence voters with financial inducements.
“If we set a cash limit, security agencies will have clearer guidelines on what constitutes an electoral offense, making enforcement easier,” she added.
In response to INEC’s concerns, security agencies at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring free and fair elections.
However, they acknowledged challenges, particularly in logistics and coordination.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of election planning and evaluation, Mr. Abayomi Shogunle, who represented the Inspector General of Police, pointed out that inadequate resources often hamper law enforcement efforts during elections.
“We face major logistical challenges, from deploying officers to remote areas to ensuring real-time communication during elections. These are issues that need to be addressed if we are to effectively enforce electoral laws,” Mr. Shogunle said.
Despite these challenges, security agencies pledged to remain neutral and professional in carrying out their duties.
The meeting was organised by the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO)
It provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss electoral security and legal reforms.
Confidence Okwuchi
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