Yiaga Africa, CDD, CISLAC Back Reps’ Concerns Over 2027 Polls Integrity

Pro-democracy groups — Yiaga Africa, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) — have thrown their weight behind the House of Representatives’ concerns over the integrity of the 2027 general election.

Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, had at plenary on Tuesday raised the alarm over a provision in the Electoral Act, 2026 that threatened the integrity of the 2027 general election.

Raising a matter of privilege, Dasuki said he and other lawmakers had submitted motions concerning Section 63 of the Electoral Act which gives a presiding officer the opportunity to accept any paper that does not bear the marks or any security feature of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the need for the commission to brief the House on how prepared it is for next year’s polls.

According to the Sokoto opposition lawmaker, the motions have not been listed for presentation on the floor of the House several months after they were submitted.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, particularly supported the need for INEC to brief the House on its preparation for the election in line with the oversight functions of the legislature.

Itodo however said such oversight becomes problematic when it disrupts or distracts INEC from its electoral preparations or is weaponised as an avenue to exert political pressure, make partisan demands or interfere with the

commission’s operational independence.

“I support the call for INEC to brief the National Assembly on its preparations for the elections. This is standard legislative oversight practice and an important mechanism for ensuring transparency and accountability.

“However, such oversight becomes problematic when it disrupts or distracts INEC from its electoral preparations or is weaponised as an avenue to exert political pressure, make partisan demands, or interfere with the Commission’s operational independence. Legislative oversight must strengthen INEC’s accountability, not undermine its independence,” he said.

For his part, the CDD Director, Dr Garuba Dauda, called for proper safeguards as he said any authorisation allowing returning officers to accept uncrested INEC ballot papers will create confusion for the 2027 general elections.

On the other hand, Dauda maintained that it is within the powers of the National Assembly to summon INEC and any other institution and individual for regular updates and interrogation on preparations for the election.

“Any authorisation allowing returning officers to accept uncrested INEC ballot papers will create confusion for the 2027 general elections. There should be proper safeguards for this.

“On the second question, I wish to underscore the fact that it is within the powers of NASS to summon INEC and, in fact, any other institutions and individuals for regular updates and interrogation on preparations for the elections,” he said.

The Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), welcomed the concerns raised by the Minority Caucus of the House over the credibility of ballot papers and INEC’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

He said these concerns strike at the foundation of electoral integrity and must not be dismissed as routine parliamentary disagreements.

Rafsanjani stated that Nigeria cannot afford another election undermined by questionable ballots, delayed funding, compromised security arrangements and institutional failures.

He said the National Assembly must move beyond political debates and exercise its constitutional oversight responsibilities to close electoral loopholes, protect the independence of INEC and restore public confidence in the electoral process.

“The credibility of the 2027 elections must not depend on promises but on enforceable safeguards and demonstrable institutional preparedness.

“CISLAC is particularly concerned about Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which permits the counting of ballot papers without the prescribed INEC official mark where their authenticity is otherwise established.

“While the intention may be to prevent legitimate voters from being disenfranchised by administrative mistakes, the provision must never become a convenient loophole for electoral fraud. A ballot paper without the required official mark must not be accepted merely on the personal assurance or discretion of an electoral official.

“Its authenticity must be independently verifiable through serial numbers, officially issued ballot books, documented distribution records and transparent ballot reconciliation.

“CISLAC demands an urgent legislative review to establish strict verification standards, mandatory documentation, independent scrutiny and criminal sanctions against officials or political actors who knowingly introduce, validate or count fraudulent ballots. Electoral officials must not be given opportunities to manufacture legitimacy for questionable votes.

“On INEC’s preparedness, CISLAC insists that Nigerians deserve verifiable facts, not repeated assurances that the Commission is ready. INEC must urgently brief the National Assembly and publicly disclose its approved electoral budget, actual releases, outstanding funding requirements, procurement status and operational preparedness.

“Critical questions must be answered: Are sufficient funds available? Have essential election materials been procured? Are BVAS devices functional and adequately deployed? Are electronic result transmission and IReV systems sufficiently tested and protected? Are logistics, personnel training and contingency plans ready?

“The Federal Government must release approved funds without unnecessary bureaucratic delays or political interference. Election funding is a constitutional and democratic responsibility, not a political favour to INEC. Deliberate financial or administrative obstruction of credible elections must attract institutional accountability.

“CISLAC is equally alarmed by the security threats capable of undermining voter participation and the safety of electoral personnel. INEC, the Nigeria Police Force and relevant security agencies must undertake an immediate nationwide electoral security risk assessment, identify vulnerable locations and publish a credible operational framework for protecting voters, election officials, observers and electoral materials.

“Security personnel must remain professionally neutral, and there must be clear disciplinary and criminal consequences for intimidation, partisan deployment, ballot-box snatching, electoral violence and unlawful interference with voting or collation.

“Political officeholders must not be allowed to weaponise security institutions against opponents or manipulate election outcomes. An election conducted under fear, intimidation or selective security protection cannot genuinely reflect the democratic will of the people.

“CISLAC therefore calls on the National Assembly to urgently review the identified electoral safeguards, summon INEC and relevant security authorities for transparent oversight hearings, and demand measurable commitments with clear implementation deadlines. Such oversight must strengthen, not undermine, INEC’s constitutional independence.

“The Presidency must guarantee timely funding, security agencies must demonstrate neutrality, and INEC must publish periodic readiness reports accessible to citizens and election observers. Where officials deliberately compromise electoral preparations or facilitate electoral fraud, investigations and appropriate sanctions must follow.

“The 2027 elections must not be another expensive exercise in democratic frustration. Nigerians deserve credible ballots, adequately funded institutions, professional security arrangements and results that genuinely reflect their votes.

“The message is clear: no questionable ballots, no excuses for delayed funding, no tolerance for electoral violence and no immunity for election riggers. Electoral integrity must be guaranteed before election day, not defended through excuses after disputed results,” he added.