By Bose
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The recently signed Electoral Act (as amended) has drawn sharp criticism from the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), which says the law significantly lowers the penalties for certificate forgery and vote buying, offences that threaten the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
IPAC’s National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, raised the alarm during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Wednesday, warning that the legislative changes could undermine the credibility of elections and weaken public trust in governance.
“The new Electoral Act has, to a greater extent, reduced the laws against certificate forgery and lowered the penalties for vote buying. These are supposed to be major offences, not minor infractions,” Dantalle said.
“We are talking about individuals who make laws, oversee appointments, and hold the security and welfare of citizens in their hands. Treating these offences lightly is anti-democratic and dysfunctional.”
The Electoral Act, which was passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu within 24 hours, was intended to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework. However, according to IPAC, the amendments have the opposite effect, potentially emboldening those who manipulate elections for personal or political gain.
Dantalle also highlighted longstanding concerns about the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), calling for reforms in how the INEC chairman and commissioners are appointed.
“We recommended that the selection of INEC officials be removed from the purview of the executive and government in power,” he said. “Instead, an independent institution comprising legal experts, civil society organisations, and political parties should oversee appointments. Unfortunately, our recommendations were ignored.”
IPAC’s intervention underscores the growing anxiety among political stakeholders about the weakening of electoral accountability mechanisms. Analysts warn that reduced penalties for election-related offences could erode public confidence in the democratic process, compromise the fairness of elections, and ultimately affect governance at both state and federal levels.
As Nigeria prepares for upcoming elections, the debate over the Electoral Act’s effectiveness and its potential loopholes is likely to intensify, with civil society, political parties, and watchdog groups demanding stronger safeguards to ensure free, fair, and credible polls.
