A former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mike Igini, has said the forthcoming 2027 general elections will be compromised due to certain provisions in the 2026 Electoral Act.

Mr Igini who spoke during an interview with ARISE News on Wednesday, said recent legal provisions, particularly Sections 63, 137, and 138 could cause widespread electoral manipulation.

He described Section 63 of the Electoral Act as a “foundation-level threat” to credible elections, adding that “a ballot paper that does not bear the official security features of INEC can now be accepted by a presiding officer. This is extremely dangerous.”

He noted that the provision introduces subjective discretion of the presiding officer. “What is the objective standard for a presiding officer to be ‘satisfied’? This opens the door for politicians to print and introduce fake ballot papers that must be accepted,” he said. 

Mr Igini also argued that Section 138 of the Electoral Act weakens accountability.

“An act or omission contrary to INEC’s directives—but not explicitly against the law—cannot be used to challenge an election. This effectively grants immunity for disobeying INEC guidelines,” he stated, adding that Section 137 of the act shields electoral officials from scrutiny.

“It is no longer necessary to join presiding or returning officers in election petitions—even when they are directly responsible for misconduct,” he added.

The former INEC REC warned that presiding officers were vulnerable, and could be influenced by politicuans.

“Before elections, money is distribute, even in foreign currency, to presiding officers. Some were told nothing would happen to them because the law protects them,” Mr Igini said, adding that some individuals had previously attempted to manipulate voter accreditation using multiple identity cards.

He further urged the National Assembly and INEC to act swiftly, and amend the problematic provisions in the act.

He added, “INEC must urgently return to the National Assembly to seek amendment and repeal of these provisions, especially Section 63. The ballot is the foundation of the election. How long does it take to amend clearly dangerous provisions? The 2022 Electoral Act, in parts, is a retrogression.”

Reacting to the development in a telephone interview with the Peoples Gazette on Wednesday, spokesperson for the ADC coalition, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the president hurriedly assented to the amended electoral bill due to provisions that aids electoral manipulation in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“President Tinubu signed the electoral act into law without any consideration whatsoever in terms of where the lapses might be. But we have been saying that that particular piece of legislature is determined to achieve one thing, that is to provide a legal framework that will provide a ground for rigging elections,” Mr Abdullahi said.

He condemned the provisions of the electoral act which interferes with the political parties’ primary elections.

He noted, “The manner in which political parties choose their flagbearers, by mandating political parties to do direct primaries or have a consensus, and the issue of membership registration within a short time, all these provides grounds for advantage to the ruling party and disadvantage to the opposition.”

Mr Abdullahi noted, “So, the electoral law that gives weird discretionary powers to electoral officers is definitely a law that cannot guarantee that everybody will be treated equally and fairly, so.we agree with him (Mr Igini).”