Ex-INEC Official Sounds Alarm: 2026 Electoral Act Poses Serious Operational Risks

Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, former Director of Voter Education at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has raised serious concerns over Nigeria’s newly enacted Electoral Act 2026, warning that legal gaps, tight timelines, and operational hurdles could jeopardize future elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on Arise News, Osaze-Uzzi said analysts and former electoral officials are questioning whether the law truly addresses past flaws or merely repackages them. Reflecting on previous election cycles, he cautioned that Nigeria risks repeating old mistakes.

“Well, having been in the trenches, I fear we might be haunted by the ghosts of past errors because no significant change has been made,” he said, recalling how malfunctioning card readers previously led to widespread reliance on incident forms.

Concerns Over Polling Officials’ Safety
Osaze-Uzzi also highlighted the risks electronic transmission could pose to polling officers. He warned that technical failures could put honest officers in danger, noting that in 2023, signal disruptions reportedly caused confusion and exposed officers to threats.

“My concern extends to the lives of all young Nigerians tasked with conducting elections—they are at risk if technology fails or is manipulated,” he said.

Pessimism Over Public Confidence
The former INEC official expressed doubts about public trust in the new law. “Given the unresolved issues from the 2023 elections, expectations are low. Sadly, people anticipate a repeat of vote manipulation and lack of transparency,” he stated.

Speed and Procedural Concerns
Osaze-Uzzi criticised how quickly the bill was signed into law, describing the process as potentially hasty. He suggested that proper legal steps, including certification by the National Assembly clerk, may not have been completed in the 24-hour period between passage and presidential assent.

“Yes, the speed worried me. Some might call it undue haste. When making haste, you must still proceed carefully,” he said.

Funding and Implementation Challenges
The former INEC director also warned that reducing the election funding timeline from 12 to 6 months could hinder preparations, as procurement requires both budgetary provision and available funds. He questioned why this change, which was not part of INEC’s recommendations, was introduced.

Confusion Over Applicable Law
With the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections imminent, Osaze-Uzzi raised concerns over which law would govern the polls—the 2022 Act or the new 2026 Act—calling the FCT elections a “litmus test” for implementation.

Electronic Transmission vs. Manual Processes
While the 2026 Act enshrines electronic transmission, it also allows manual processes if transmission fails. Osaze-Uzzi noted that the IReV portal is not fully integrated into collation, meaning manual collation remains primary.

“Technologically, the system gives with one hand but takes away with the other. If transmission fails, officials must revert to manual forms,” he explained.

In conclusion, Osaze-Uzzi warned that INEC faces significant operational and credibility challenges under the new law, and public confidence will depend on how effectively these challenges are addressed.

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