Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, has alleged that significant portions of the Electoral Act were altered, claiming that the final document differs from what was originally developed by the electoral reform committee.
Kingibe made the remarks on Monday during an appearance on a programme on Television, where she expressed concern that key provisions agreed upon during deliberations were changed.
The lawmaker, who served on the electoral reform committee, said the version presented was inconsistent with the document jointly produced after extensive consultations. According to her, the committee worked for two years alongside the National Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and civil society organisations to develop a framework aimed at ensuring credible elections.
“What they presented was not in the original document,” Kingibe said, adding that she could provide evidence to support her claims.
She also raised concerns over alleged lapses in ballot paper security, questioning how materials without standard safeguards could be introduced into the electoral process.
“In what election have we conducted where INEC ballot papers did not have security measures? It has never happened,” she said, suggesting that such irregularities were unprecedented.
Kingibe further explained that the reform process involved a joint sitting of both chambers of the National Assembly, stressing that the outcome was widely accepted before being altered.
“We worked for two years on a document that was acceptable. The Senate and the House of Representatives, alongside INEC and civil society groups, came up with a document we believed would ensure free and fair elections. But every aspect of it was turned upside down,” she stated.
