Vote buyers, sellers risk 2-year jail term, N5 million fine as Reps approve electoral act amendment

The House of Representatives has approved sweeping changes to the Electoral Act amendment, introducing tougher punishments to deter vote buying and selling and strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process.

The Electoral Act amendment was adopted during clause-by-clause consideration of the House Committee on Electoral Matters’ report at the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu.

Tougher penalties for vote trading

Under the Electoral Act amendment, individuals involved in vote buying or selling now face a minimum of two years’ imprisonment, a N5 million fine, or both.

The Electoral Act amendment also imposes a 10-year ban from contesting elections on offenders convicted of vote trading or voter card transactions.

These sanctions replace the previous penalties, which were limited to a maximum fine of N500,000 or two years’ imprisonment.

Mandatory electronic transmission of results

Lawmakers further strengthened the Electoral Act amendment by mandating INEC to transmit polling unit results electronically to the IREV portal in real time.

The new provision requires electronic transmission to occur simultaneously with physical collation, reducing opportunities for result manipulation.

Sanctions for electoral officials

The Electoral Act amendment introduces stricter punishment for presiding officers who deliberately breach procedures during counting, announcement, or result transmission.

A new section prescribes a minimum fine of N500,000, six months’ imprisonment, or both, for willful violations by presiding officers.

Early funding and fraud prevention

To improve preparation, the Electoral Act amendment mandates the release of election funds to INEC at least one year before a general election.

Penalties for multiple voter registration were also increased, with offenders facing a minimum fine of N100,000, one year’s imprisonment, or both.

Changes for parties and voters

The Electoral Act amendment extends the deadline for political parties to submit candidate lists to INEC from 180 to 210 days before elections.

Lawmakers also approved the use of electronically generated voter identification, including downloadable voter cards with unique QR codes, as approved by INEC.

Consideration of the remaining clauses in the Electoral Act amendment bill is still ongoing in the House.