The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has criticized Nigeria’s newly amended Electoral Act, arguing that it significantly weakens penalties for certificate forgery and vote buying, which it describes as major anti-democratic offences.
In an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ on Wednesday, National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle expressed concern that the law trivializes electoral infractions at a time when the integrity of elections for high offices, including state governors, is paramount. He stressed that penalties for such violations should not be reduced, as they undermine the credibility of the electoral process and the legitimacy of those elected.
The amendment in question was passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu within 24 hours of its passage, a timeline Dantalle referenced without further comment.
Dantalle also highlighted an unmet recommendation from IPAC during the law’s drafting. The council had urged that the appointment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman and commissioners be removed from executive control. Instead, IPAC proposed a selection committee comprising legal experts, civil society organizations, and political parties to bolster INEC’s independence. “Nothing was done about this recommendation,” he stated.
The critique centres on two specific provisions: a reduction in sanctions for certificate forgery and a downgrading of the penalty for vote buying. IPAC contends that these changes run counter to efforts to ensure free, fair, and credible elections in Africa’s most populous democracy. The council’s position underscores ongoing tensions between legislative reforms and civil society demands for stronger electoral safeguards.
The discussion arrives as Nigeria continues to grapple with challenges to electoral integrity, including allegations ofvote trading and candidate qualification disputes. With future elections scheduled, the debate over the Electoral Act’s efficacy is likely to intensify, placing pressure on policymakers to review contentious clauses.
