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.
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.
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.
