Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called for an amendment to the Electoral Act, warning that allowing unmarked ballots to be counted at officials’ discretion threatens election integrity.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised a provision in Nigeria’s Electoral Act that permits the counting of unmarked ballot papers at the discretion of returning officers, describing it as a serious threat to electoral integrity. He called on the National Assembly to urgently amend the law.
In a statement by his aide, Atiku warned that Section 63 introduces dangerous ambiguity into the voting process. “This is not a minor technical issue—it is a direct threat to electoral integrity,” he said, adding that subjective judgment in ballot validation could lead to manipulation and disputes.
He further argued that the provision undermines public confidence in elections, stressing that “a democracy cannot survive on ambiguity.” Atiku urged lawmakers to establish clear, non-negotiable standards, insisting that “this loophole must be corrected” to protect the credibility and sanctity of the vote.