By ALI MUHAMMAD RABIU; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
Nigerians have been urged to get acquainted with the provisions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) new ammended 2026 electoral act to avoid sanctions over violation.
Speaking at a one-day Seminar organised by the Correspondents Chapel of NUJ, Kwara state Council, tagged Dissecting the amended Electoral Act, 2026 “the innovation and it’s implications, the Head of department Legal Services of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kwara state, Abdulfatai Atata, said ignorance of the provisions of the act will not be an excuse.
According to him, the act defined how elected officials are chosen in the country.
He said by the provisions of the section of the new amended act, there is the need to make funding available on time to enable the electorate exercise their franchise.
Atata explained that the streamline of some of the requirements of forms of identification such as birth certificate, national identity card, drivers licence are germane.
He said section 22 of the electoral act 2026 has spelt out the electoral offence to include even the seller to serve as deterrent to others.
The INEC legal officer said the time to give a notice for an election has been reduced to 300 days to ensure efficiency.
He said section 28 of the amended 2026 electoral act now reduce the day schedule for the general election by 60 days from 120 days before.
Atata explained that the party members under section 77 of the electoral act has made it mandatory for the register to be in digital and hard copy to enable other stakeholders access their particulars to reduce intra party dispute and instill discipline and transparency in the party affairs.
He noted that in the amended act there is a marginal upward review of campaign funding of party candidate to reduce extravagance in politics.
The legal officer said the mandating of the use of BIVAS or any other adopted technology by INEC in electoral process will reduce electoral malpractices.
He maintained that section 128 (1) of the electoral act has reduced the issue of electoral dispute and pre-election matters.
Atata said the INEC amended 2026 act has taken care of all procedures and processes even in case of technology failure during elections.
He said the importance of the media professionals in the society can not be overemphasized.
In his remarks, the head of the department of Voter Education and Publicity of INEC in Kwara state, Dr. Adigun Peter said electoral malpractices is being perpetrated by many stakeholders during elections.
He said the INEC system has been improved to reduce electoral malpractices to the minimum.
Dr. Peter explained that politicians now resort to vote buying to achieve their aim.
He appealed to the media professionals and other stakeholders to support INEC intention to bring sanity to the electoral process in the country.
On his part, the INEC Head of Unit, Public Affairs and Protocols in Kwara state, Mr Abdulkadir Ibrahim, said the new provisions has changed election to one man one vote.
He said vote buying has now been rendered useless and counter productive to the politicians.
Ibrahim expressed hope that the new arrangements will put an end to electoral malpractices in the country.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman Correspondents chapel of NUJ, Kwara state council, Comrade Biola Azeez said members are one of the most important arms of journalists in the State.
He said their reach is international and such made them very important and germane to societal development.
Comrade Biola said the media set the pace for ensuring adequate reportage of activities and events as they unfold.
He said the essence of the seminar is to enable members get acquainted with the provisions of the amended electoral acts 2026 of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enlighten the public.
