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Electoral Forgery Penalty: House of Reps approves 10-year jail term or ₦75 million fine for forging nomination papers or destroying election results.
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Voter Card Misuse: Lawmakers introduce ₦5 million fine for improper use of a voter’s card.
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Electoral Reform Focus: Amendments aim to strengthen accountability, deter election crimes, and improve enforcement without repealing the Electoral Act 2022.
The House of Representatives has passed stricter penalties for electoral offences, including a 10-year prison sentence or a ₦75 million fine for anyone found guilty of forging nomination forms or tampering with election result sheets.
The decision, taken during the consideration of amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, also sets a ₦5 million fine for the improper use of a voter’s card.
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However, a proposal to jail individuals for two years for financially or materially influencing party primaries was rejected, as lawmakers warned it could be misused against political opponents.
Additionally, the House removed the automatic cancellation of results in cases of over-voting. Instead, excess votes will now be deducted proportionally from all candidates, and the Presiding Officer in the affected polling unit will face prosecution.
Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balogun, said the amendments aim to consolidate gains from past elections and address challenges in Nigeria’s electoral system. He explained that earlier proposals for early voting, inmate voting, technology-driven accreditation, and adjusted election timelines lacked sufficient support and were not included.
Balogun emphasized that the amendments enhance accountability, deter electoral crimes, and improve enforcement, while retaining the progressive framework of the Electoral Act 2022.
The law now reflects targeted improvements on over-voting, vote-buying, and party primaries, addressing weaknesses exposed during the 2023 general elections. Lawmakers stressed that the process was transparent, inclusive, and consulted with INEC, security agencies, civil society, political parties, and citizens.
The amendments are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system and can serve as a foundation for future reforms as consensus builds.
