Atiku Asks NASS to Amend Electoral Act Section 63

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sounded a critical alarm regarding a contentious provision within Nigeria's Electoral Act, urging the National Assembly to act swiftly to amend Section 63. Abubakar argues that this clause, which permits the counting of ballot papers lacking an official mark at the discretion of a returning officer, represents a significant threat to the integrity and credibility of Nigeria's electoral process.

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The leadership of the National Assembly should have been more cautious than casual in handling provisions that touch the very heart of our democracy.

In a statement issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Abubakar emphasized that such ambiguity in the law opens the door to manipulation and could potentially disenfranchise voters. He posited that a democracy cannot thrive on subjective interpretations of ballot validity, stating, “A ballot must either meet the standard or it does not. The moment you leave such a critical decision to subjective judgment, you invite manipulation, dispute, and ultimately, chaos.”

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A ballot paper is not an ordinary piece of paper—it is a legal instrument whose authenticity is central to the credibility of the entire electoral process.

This call to action highlights a recurring concern among Nigerian political stakeholders about the robustness of electoral laws. While the article notes this is a carryover from previous frameworks, Abubakar's intervention underscores the urgent need for legislative diligence to safeguard the sanctity of the vote. He implores lawmakers to exercise greater caution and ensure that legal provisions do not inadvertently create avenues for undermining the will of the people, particularly at a time when Nigerians are demanding greater transparency and accountability in their governance structures.

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This is not a minor technical issue—it is a direct threat to electoral integrity.