At Nigeria Global Roundtable, Mike Igini Flags Gaps in Electoral Act, Seeks Reforms Before 2027
Former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Barrister Mike Igini, has called for urgent amendments to the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that recent legal changes could weaken electoral transparency and undermine public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Igini made the remarks while delivering a lecture titled “Democracy: The Imperative of Credible Elections and Good Governance” during a webinar organised by the Nigeria Global Roundtable on June 20, 2026.
The former REC, who served in Nigeria’s electoral system for a decade, said credible elections remain the foundation of accountability, legitimacy and national stability. According to him, democracy loses its essence when elections fail to reflect the genuine will of the people.
“Credible elections are not optional in a democracy. Without them, elections become mere rituals without choosing, and good governance becomes a slogan. With them, governance becomes accountable,” he said.
Drawing from Nigeria’s political history and examples across Africa, Igini noted that disputed elections have often triggered instability, violence and democratic reversals. He warned that the four core promises of democracy—voice, choice, accountability and peaceful transfer of power—collapse when elections are perceived as manipulated or lacking integrity.
He outlined global indicators of credible elections, including a sound legal framework, a reliable voters’ register, transparent collation processes, effective deployment of personnel, and strong post election dispute resolution mechanisms. Polling units and collation centres, he stressed, remain the decisive battlegrounds where elections are won or lost.
“A free election means anyone can win. A credible election means everyone can trust how the winner emerged,” he added.
A major focus of Igini’s presentation was his critique of amendments in the 2026 Electoral Act, particularly changes to Section 60, which now prioritise physical result sheets over electronic transmission via the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). He argued that the amendment weakens one of the most significant transparency reforms introduced under the 2022 Act.
Read Also:
Igini also raised concerns about new provisions on ballot validity, INEC’s powers to review declarations, and political party membership registers—warning that some changes may conflict with constitutional rights and undermine electoral integrity. He further criticised the removal of qualification related grounds for challenging election outcomes, describing it as a development with “far reaching implications.”
Igini maintained that credible elections produce responsive governments because leaders understand they can be removed through the ballot box. Trusted electoral processes, he said, encourage policy based campaigns rather than identity driven politics.
“Policy debates replace identity politics when the electoral process is trusted. That is how nations develop better policies in areas such as security, education, health and the economy,” he noted.
Looking ahead, Igini urged civil society, the media, political parties and citizens to actively safeguard electoral integrity. His recommendations include amending controversial sections of the Electoral Act, consistent and transparent deployment of BVAS and IReV, transparent recruitment of ad hoc staff, stronger accountability mechanisms, improved communication by INEC, and swift sanctions for interference in accreditation or result transmission.
He described democracy as a fragile system requiring constant vigilance, warning that institutions risk losing legitimacy if public trust in elections collapses.
“Credible elections are the bridge between the will of the people and good governance. Without that bridge, everything else collapses,” he said.
Convener and Chairman of the Nigeria Global Roundtable (NGR), Dr. Jones Edobor, described the forum as a non profit civil society organisation dedicated to promoting knowledge, good governance and national integration across Nigeria and Africa.
He said the Roundtable is an independent platform committed to advancing education, science, technology and cross cultural understanding, with membership open only to individuals who share its values and abide by its rules.
According to him, the organisation’s mission includes fostering friendship among Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities, strengthening accountability in governance and opposing discriminatory practices that could fuel instability. He added that the group is driven by a commitment to positive societal change, responsive leadership and the promotion of inclusive, stable communities.
