A former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, has called for an urgent amendment to the Electoral Act, faulting a provision that allows unmarked ballot papers to be counted at the discretion of a returning officer. He says the law contains a dangerous ambiguity that could undermine electoral credibility.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said Section 63 of the Act gives room for subjective interpretation in determining valid votes. He warned that such discretion could open the process to manipulation and disputes.
He argued that while the provision may have been intended to prevent voter disenfranchisement, its current wording weakens public confidence in the electoral system. Atiku said a ballot must either meet the required standard or be rejected, without room for personal judgment.
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The former Vice-President called on the National Assembly to remove any ambiguity in the law and establish clear, non-negotiable standards for ballot validation. He also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that all electoral legislation undergoes strict scrutiny before assent.
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