Success of amended Electoral Act depends on enforcement, civic engagement - CSOs
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s governance and civic space have said that while the amended Electoral Act 2026 introduces reforms capable of strengthening the country’s democratic process, its effectiveness will depend largely
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s governance and civic space have said that while the amended Electoral Act 2026 introduces reforms capable of strengthening the country’s democratic process, its effectiveness will depend largely on proper enforcement, stronger institutional cooperation and sustained civic participation.
The position was reached during the maiden edition of the Sectorial Reflection Series on Policy and Laws organised by the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa in partnership with Legis360.
The forum brought together civil society organisations, governance experts and media professionals to review key provisions of the amended electoral law and examine their potential implications for democratic governance in Nigeria.
Participants at the event discussed several components of the amended legislation, including voter registration procedures, the introduction of downloadable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), electoral offences, revised election timelines, political party regulation and campaign financing.
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In a communique issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the Executive Director of PAACA, Ezenwa Nwagwu, participants noted that new voter identification requirements could help strengthen the credibility of the voter register.
The communique stated that the introduction of identification documents such as birth certificates, passports or the National Identification Number (NIN) during voter registration could improve the integrity and accuracy of the voters’ database.
However, the stakeholders cautioned that the requirement could unintentionally disenfranchise many eligible voters, particularly those in rural and underserved communities who may not possess the required documents.
They emphasised the need for authorities to ensure that the reforms do not create barriers to voter participation.
According to the communique, participants acknowledged that the amended Electoral Act provides an important opportunity to address longstanding weaknesses in Nigeria’s electoral system.
They nonetheless stressed that legislative changes alone cannot guarantee credible elections without effective implementation.
The stakeholders therefore called for consistent enforcement of the provisions of the law and stronger collaboration among key electoral institutions responsible for managing and overseeing elections in the country.
They also highlighted the importance of public education and civic engagement in ensuring that citizens understand the reforms introduced in the amended legislation.
According to them, greater awareness would enable voters, political parties and civil society groups to better monitor compliance and hold institutions accountable during the electoral process.
The participants urged electoral authorities and relevant government agencies to work closely with civil society organisations and the media to expand voter education and promote transparency.
They maintained that sustained engagement among institutions, civic groups and the public would be essential in ensuring that the reforms contained in the amended Electoral Act translate into more credible and inclusive elections in Nigeria.
The participants stressed the importance of robust data management systems and safeguards to protect personal information.
They welcomed the introduction of a downloadable PVC as a backup to the physical card, describing it as a potentially useful innovation that could ease voter access during elections.
They called for clear operational guidelines and deliberate efforts to ensure digital inclusion would be necessary to guarantee that the new system does not create additional barriers for voters with limited access to technology.
On electoral offences, participants observed that the amended Act introduces stricter penalties, including fines of at least five million naira and possible imprisonment for offenders.
While this was seen as a positive step toward discouraging electoral malpractice such as vote buying, stakeholders emphasised that stronger prosecutorial commitment and improved coordination among relevant agencies would be critical to ensure the provisions are effectively enforced.
The dialogue also examined the revised electoral timelines introduced in the Act. The law reduces the period for issuing election notices from 360 days to 300 days and shortens the deadline for political parties to submit candidates from 180 days to 120 days before elections.
Participants noted that the adjustments could streamline election preparations if institutions strengthen their planning and operational capacity.
However, Nwagwu described the Series as a continuing platform designed to promote evidence-based dialogue on Nigeria’s policy and legislative development, with the goal of strengthening democratic governance through informed engagement by civil society, policymakers, and the media.
The dialogue also examined the requirement for political parties to maintain digital membership registers describing it as a step toward improving transparency and accountability within party structures.
