Yiaga Africa’s Call for Transparency on the Electoral Act 2026
The
recent appeal by Yiaga Africa to the National Assembly and other stakeholders to
release the Electoral Act 2026, reportedly signed into law by President Bola
Tinubu, underscores a critical tension in Nigeria’s democratic process: the gap
between legislative action and public accessibility.
While the signing of the amended electoral bill represents a milestone in electoral reform, the continued delay in making the document available to citizens risks eroding trust in the very system it seeks to strengthen.
Samson
Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, articulated this concern during a
policy roundtable in Abuja, emphasizing that citizens remain in the dark about
key provisions of the Act. Among the most pressing issues is the hierarchy of
election results and the role of electronic transmission.
Without
clarity, voters are left uncertain about whether electronically transmitted
results or physical copies will take precedence, a question that directly
impacts confidence in the legitimacy of elections. Itodo’s warning is clear:
laws must not only be passed but also made accessible, for democracy thrives on
transparency.
The
debate over electoral technology is not new. Former INEC Commissioner Mike
Igini reminded participants that electronic transmission of results was
successfully piloted as far back as 2012 in Cross River State. Yet, legal
constraints and resistance to innovation stalled its wider adoption.
Igini’s
critique of institutional reluctance to embrace technology highlights a broader
challenge: Nigeria’s electoral system has often lagged behind its own
potential, undermining investments in biometric and electronic systems that
could enhance credibility. His reminder of the Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling, that
tools like card readers must be backed by law, reinforces the urgency of
aligning legal frameworks with technological realities.
At the
heart of Yiaga Africa’s demand is the principle of accountability. Elections
are not merely administrative exercises; they are the bedrock of legitimacy in
governance. When citizens are denied access to the very laws that govern their
participation, the social contract weakens.
Transparency
in electoral legislation is not optional, it is essential. The delay in
releasing the Electoral Act 2026 risks creating suspicion, fueling
misinformation, and diminishing confidence in institutions that already
struggle to command public trust.
Nigeria
stands at a crossroads. The release of the Electoral Act 2026 would not only
affirm the government’s commitment to openness but also empower citizens to
engage meaningfully with the rules that shape their democracy.
Yiaga
Africa’s call is therefore more than a procedural demand; it is a reminder that
democracy flourishes when the people are informed, empowered, and assured that
their votes truly count.
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