The Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, has raised fresh concerns over the Electoral Act 2026, questioning the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process and warning of rising costs ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The convener of the Civil Society Situation Room, Nwankwo said the failure of the results upload system during the 2023 elections undermined public trust.
“We saw legislative results uploaded in trickles, but never the presidential results. Using the same system, why upload one and not the other?” he said. “That failure discredited the 2023 general election.”
Nwankwo also questioned the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) revised timetable for 2027, which brings elections earlier than previous cycles.
“There is no constitutional basis for the pressure INEC has put on itself. It raises concerns about whether these decisions are independent or influenced by political pressure,” he said.
On the Electoral Act 2026, he expressed disappointment that key recommendations from civil society were not fully adopted, warning that gaps in reform could affect the credibility of future polls.
He further highlighted the growing monetization of Nigeria’s electoral process, citing high nomination fees by political parties.
“The more you spend to get into office, the more you want to recover. That fuels corruption and weakens service delivery,” Nwankwo said.
He warned that escalating costs could exclude capable candidates, particularly women and young people.
“It’s only those with a war chest that can run. That shuts out many Nigerians who could offer credible leadership,” he added.
Nwankwo said reducing the cost of elections is critical to strengthening democracy and restoring public confidence in the system.
