2026 Electoral Act: “Every Aspect Was Completely Doctored” — Senator Ireti Kingibe Reveals
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“Every Aspect of the Electoral Act Was Completely Altered” — Ireti Kingibe Alleges Wide Deviation from Original Reform Draft.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Nigerian Senate, has alleged that the Electoral Act underwent extensive modifications from the version originally developed by the electoral reform committee in which she participated.
Ejes Gist News reports that the lawmaker made the claim during a television interview on Monday, where she reflected on her role in the multi-stakeholder electoral reform process involving the National Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and civil society organisations.
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Allegations of major changes to reform document
Kingibe stated that the final Electoral Act presented for implementation differed significantly from the draft produced after two years of committee work. She suggested that key provisions were altered or removed before passage.
According to her, the committee’s original objective was to design a framework that would strengthen credibility in Nigeria’s electoral process, but the end product, in her view, did not reflect the consensus reached during consultations.
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She said the committee’s work involved extensive collaboration across legislative chambers and institutions, adding that the expectation was to produce a unified reform document capable of improving electoral transparency.
Concerns over ballot paper security provisions
A key point raised by the senator relates to ballot paper security features. Kingibe argued that Nigeria’s electoral system has historically relied on structured security mechanisms for ballot papers to prevent manipulation or substitution.
She questioned why certain provisions she recalled from the committee stage did not appear in the final version of the law, suggesting inconsistencies between the draft and the enacted legislation.
Her remarks referenced past electoral practices where ballot papers were produced with embedded security elements designed to safeguard electoral integrity and prevent unauthorized reproduction.
Electoral reform process and institutional involvement
The electoral reform process she referenced reportedly included participation from:
- Members of the Senate and House of Representatives
- Officials of INEC
- Civil society organisations
- Electoral law experts and reform stakeholders
The objective of the committee, according to her account, was to harmonise recommendations into a consolidated legal framework aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
However, Kingibe maintained that the final legislative output did not fully align with the agreed draft, raising questions about the transformation of reform inputs during legislative passage.
Broader implications for electoral governance
Her comments add to ongoing public discourse around the evolution of Nigeria’s electoral laws, particularly in relation to reforms introduced in recent election cycles.
Debates around the Electoral Act have often centred on issues such as:
- Electoral transparency and credibility
- INEC operational independence
- Ballot security and result transmission systems
- Legislative amendments during passage of reform bills
Kingibe’s claims, if contextualised within these broader discussions, reflect recurring concerns among stakeholders about how reform proposals are modified during legislative processes.
Legislative scrutiny and reform accountability
The senator’s remarks also bring renewed attention to how electoral reform documents are reviewed, amended, and enacted within Nigeria’s bicameral legislature.
While reform committees typically serve as advisory and drafting platforms, final legislative authority rests with the National Assembly, where bills may undergo amendments before presidential assent.
The Electoral Act remains a central legal framework guiding elections conducted by INEC, and it continues to be subject to periodic review in response to evolving electoral challenges and policy debates.
