A claim by former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mike Igini, regarding provisions in the Electoral Act 2026 has been found to be inaccurate.
Igini had stated during an interview on ARISE News that Section 63 of the Electoral Act 2026 introduced a new provision granting presiding officers the discretion to accept or reject ballot papers that do not carry the official mark prescribed by the electoral body.
However, findings show that the provision referenced by Igini is not new and was already contained in the 2022 Electoral Act. The section, which deals with ballot paper validation, has remained consistent and does not represent an expanded or newly introduced discretionary power for presiding officers.
Presiding officers, commonly referred to as POs, are responsible for overseeing polling units and managing voting processes on election day. Their role includes ensuring that ballot papers meet established guidelines set by INEC.
The clarification comes amid ongoing discussions about electoral reforms and the interpretation of provisions in the updated Electoral Act 2026, as stakeholders continue to scrutinize the legal framework ahead of future elections.
