The Digest:
Former INEC Electoral Commissioner Mike Igini has raised alarm over Section 63 of the new 2026 Electoral Act, warning it allows presiding officers to accept ballot papers that do not bear INEC's official manufacturer mark and security features. Speaking on Arise TV, Igini said the provision gives presiding officers discretion to count such ballots, creating a loophole where politicians with access to INEC's serial and security features could produce their own ballot papers. He described the section as "dangerous."
Key Points:
- Section 63 allows ballot papers without official INEC marks to be accepted.
- The returning officer's approval is all that is required for counting.
- Igini warned that Section 138 also poses risks to electoral integrity.
- Politicians with insider access could potentially manufacture fake ballots.
- The provision has been described as a threat to free and fair elections.
The new Electoral Act provision has sparked concerns about potential electoral fraud in 2027.
Sources: Arise TV / X
