Calls for Nigeria electoral reforms have moved from the margins to the centre of national debate. From civil society groups to senior academics, the message is clear: the country cannot hold another poll until the system that delivers results is fixed.
Why reforms now?
Every election since 1999 has exposed the same set of problems – broken logistics, delayed results, voter intimidation and, increasingly, the spread of misinformation on social media. The 2023 general election amplified these flaws, with observers noting massive bottlenecks at voting centres and a surge in post‑poll violence.
The Citizens' Memorandum for Reform of the Electoral Legal Framework, drafted after a deep dive into past failures, lists thirty‑seven recommendations spread over fifteen strategic goals. It tackles sixteen priority areas, ranging from simplifying the 2022 Electoral Act to introducing mandatory electronic voting and digital result transmission. The memorandum leans on lessons from the Uwais report – a 2008 blueprint that warned about exactly the weaknesses Nigeria still wrestles with.
Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, the director‑general of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, has turned the spotlight on the often‑ignored local government elections. "State Independent Electoral Commissions are too compromised to earn public trust," he argued at a national dialogue in Abuja. His point resonates: while presidential races grab headlines, the credibility of grassroots polls determines whether citizens feel represented at the most immediate level of governance.
The recent passing of Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, the former chief justice who chaired the 2008 Electoral Reform Committee, reignited public interest in his report. Advocates say that each year the report's core ideas stay untouched, the culture of impunity deepens, and the gap between legal code and on‑the‑ground reality widens.
Legislative moves and the road ahead
Both chambers of the National Assembly are now wrestling with bills that echo the memorandum’s spirit. The Senate’s proposal would synchronize all major elections – presidential, gubernatorial, legislative and local – on a single day, aiming to cut costs and reduce the window for manipulation. It also shortens campaign periods, a move supporters claim will ease the financial strain on parties and curb vote‑buying.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is debating a companion bill that adds a new National Local Government Electoral Commission. The body would take over from state electoral commissions, which many critics label as biased and opaque. If passed, the commission could bring a uniform standard to local polls, a step many see as essential for rebuilding trust.
Technology upgrades are a common thread in both proposals. Lawmakers are pushing amendments that would make electronic voting mandatory and require real‑time digital transmission of results. Proponents argue this would slash opportunities for ballot stuffing and speed up result collation, while skeptics warn about cyber‑security risks and the need for robust infrastructure.
Adding to the momentum is the pending leadership transition at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). A new chairperson could reset the agency’s culture, reinforce its independence and signal to political elites that a bipartisan approach to reform is possible. Observers suggest that a transparent and competent INEC will be the litmus test for whether Nigeria can truly move beyond paper‑thin reforms.
Beyond the legal and technical fixes, many stakeholders stress that electoral integrity is a moral issue. They argue that without a system that can endure intense political pressure and repel bad actors, democratic legitimacy will continue to erode. The consensus is growing: Nigeria needs institutions that not only look good on paper but can deliver credible, peaceful elections that citizens trust.
Elizabeth Bennett
September 26, 2025 AT 01:15The push for electoral reforms in Nigeria is a crucial step toward restoring public confidence. By addressing the logistical bottlenecks and digitalizing result transmission, we can create a more transparent process. It's also important that local government elections get the same level of scrutiny as national contests.
linda menuhin
October 7, 2025 AT 15:02Im so over these endless delays lol.
Jeff Abbott
October 19, 2025 AT 04:48Honestly, these reforms sound like a PR stunt. The same politicians will just find new ways to game the system.
Quinton Merrill
October 30, 2025 AT 18:35Nice breakdown! The move to electronic voting could cut down on ballot stuffing, but we gotta make sure the infrastructure can handle it 😊.
Linda Lawton
November 11, 2025 AT 08:22They’re pulling strings behind the curtains, feeding us the same old lies while pretending to care. Wake up, people!
Ashley Bradley
November 22, 2025 AT 22:08Electoral reform in Nigeria is not merely a bureaucratic adjustment, it is a societal imperative that touches every citizen's daily life.
When voters lose trust in the tallying process, turnout drops and the legitimacy of elected officials erodes.
The Citizens' Memorandum, with its thirty‑seven recommendations, provides a comprehensive roadmap that goes beyond surface‑level fixes.
Among its most promising proposals is the mandatory implementation of electronic voting machines, which, if properly secured, can dramatically reduce opportunities for ballot stuffing.
Equally vital is the call for a unified National Local Government Electoral Commission, a body that could finally standardize procedures across the thirty‑six states.
Such standardization would prevent the patchwork of state commissions that currently operate with varying degrees of transparency and political interference.
Learning from the 2008 Uwais report, lawmakers must also prioritize the training of electoral staff and the creation of robust audit trails for every vote cast.
Digital result transmission, while technologically demanding, offers the real‑time visibility that observers and citizens alike crave.
Critics warn about cyber‑security risks, a point that cannot be dismissed, yet the solution lies in investment rather than avoidance.
Nigeria's recent experience with post‑poll violence underscores the urgent need to shorten the window between voting and result declaration.
Synchronizing all major elections onto a single day, as suggested by the Senate, could cut costs and limit the period during which manipulation can occur.
Shorter campaign periods would also lessen the financial strain on parties, thereby reducing the lure of vote‑buying.
Beyond legal reforms, the cultural shift toward accountability must be nurtured through civic education and vigilant civil society watchdogs.
Only when citizens feel empowered to demand integrity will political elites be forced to respect the rule of law.
A transparent and competent INEC will serve as the litmus test for any genuine transformation.
In sum, these reforms, if enacted with sincerity and sufficient resources, could finally deliver the credible, peaceful elections Nigeria deserves.