Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, a lawmaker representing Sokoto State, has warned that a provision in the Electoral Act could threaten the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
Speaking during a House of Representatives session, Dasuki raised concerns over Section 63(2), which he said allows presiding officers to accept ballot papers without INEC’s official marks or security features.
“Section 63 subsection 2, Mr. Speaker, gave a polling unit officer or presiding officer the opportunity to accept any paper that is not having the marks or any security feature of INEC,” he said.
He compared the situation to fake money entering a bank and being accepted simply because it is inside a bundle.
“It’s just like you saying go to the bank, collect money — if you Have fake money inside the bank, for as long as it’s in the bundle, that means it’s accepted.”
Dasuki disclosed that he and the House Whip had submitted a bill to address the issue. He also urged lawmakers to invite the INEC chairman to explain the commission’s level of preparation for the 2027 elections.
“We don’t want to wait till on the eve of election before we know what INEC is going to do, and we are the only ones empowered in the constitution to ask INEC how ready they are,” he stated.
He further raised concerns about security challenges and INEC’s funding, calling on the House to debate the bill and motion before the elections.
In response, the Speaker said he would review the matter and try to accommodate the motion within the week.
“I have heard what you have said, I will look at your issue, and we will try as much as possible within the week to accommodate the motion that you already brought before the parliament in July,” the Speaker said.
