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10 Problems of the New Electoral Act in Nigeria

Problems of the New Electoral Act in Nigeria – Too many Nigerians, the new Electoral Act is a breakthrough in the Nigerian electoral process.

The jurisdictional limitation of pre-election proceedings to the Federal High Court solely under Section 84 is one of the important changes made by the Electoral (Amendment) Act (14). Prior to the Act’s revision, Section 87(9) of the Electoral Act of 2010 (the “Defunct Act”) gave the Federal High Court, State High Court, and High Court of the Federal Capital Territory concurrent authority over federal and state pre-election issues.


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Pre-election litigation mostly refers to intra-party conflicts including questions of eligibility, disqualification, nomination, substitution, negligent omission, false oath, primaries’ administration, and sponsorship of candidates for the general election. Pre-election issues are acknowledged as a crucial component of the electoral process by both the Constitution and a flood of Supreme Court rulings.Information Guide Nigeria

However, we envisage some problems. These problems include:

  • Logistical challenge
  • Political parties non-compliance
  • Federal Government
  • Site hacking
  • INEC officials non-compliance
  • Political appointees
  • Dubious Nigerians
  • Technological failures
  • Misappropriation
  • Corruption. Information Guide Nigeria

Read Also: 10 Problems and Challenges Facing the Nigerian Senates

Problems of the Nigerian New Electoral Act

  1. Logistical Challenges

In section 84(14) of the new Electoral Act, the Federal High Court is now to handle all pre-election matters that are related to all elections. With the workload that is already in the Federal High Court, the court would be bound to face some logistical challenges.

The reason for this is the fact that the Judges in the High Court would doubtlessly be overstretched. The problem here is ineffectiveness. The Federal High Court Judges might find it difficult to meet up with the 180 days stipulated in section 285(9&10) for the completion of such a suit.

  1. Political Parties non-compliance

The problem of the electoral process in Nigeria is not INEC but the aspirants. Now, these aspirants belong to parties. They would like their parties to manipulate INEC. Such manipulations would make the parties not comply with the provisions of the new Electoral Act.10 Problems of the New Electoral Act in Nigeria 

Already, INEC has started to encounter these problems. Some political parties intended to withdraw their presidential candidates’ running mates. With the new Electoral Act, this is no longer tenable.

The study of sections 28 and 84 reveals that running mates can only be changed by their either death or resignation. Even at that, the political parties that are affected must conduct fresh primaries for the emergence of a new person. Thus, INEC should be ready for the non-compliance of the political parties.

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Read Also: 10 Problems and Challenges Facing House of Representatives in Nigeria

  1. The Federal Government

If care is not taken, the Federal Government might be a problem for INEC and the new Electoral Act.

One, INEC now maintains a special fund for its activities. Every money that INEC needs from the Federal Government must now be paid at least a year to the expenditure of such money. Will the Federal Government be able to meet up with this demand?

Two, it is amazing that the President is still submitting letters of amendment to various sections of the new Electoral Act after assenting to it. These pressures from the Federal Government are problems for the new Electoral Act.

  1. Site Hacking

With the new Electoral Act, INEC is now to maintain a central database for its registered voters. Election results are now to be transmitted electronically. Hackers are very much aware of the implications of such transmissions. They will like to hack INEC’s site. Therefore, INEC should be ready for such a problem.

  1. INEC Officials’ Noncompliance

Most of the changes that have been made to the old electoral bill are the chair’s innovations. Therefore, INEC cannot succeed without the support of its officials. Some of the officials may not comply with the new Electoral Act. President Buhari Leaks 1 Major Secret About His Plans for the 2023 Election

For instance, INEC would use computers in transmitting its results. Nevertheless, computers would not operate themselves. What you give to the computer is what the computer would give back to you. INEC officials are the ones to enter the figures that the computer would work on. What if corrupt INEC officials enter the wrong figures, what would be the result? Thus, INEC officials could be problems with the new Electoral Act.

Read Also; 10 Problems and Challenges Facing the Supreme Court in Nigeria

  1. Political Appointees

The problem has already started. The political appointees are not comfortable with section 84(14) of the new Electoral Act since this section stipulates that they cannot be voting delegates nor can they be voted for.

It is the clause that made President Muhammadu Buhari rejects the bill’s five good times. Good enough, the lawmakers did not see it fit to remove it. Even after signing the bill into law, the President is still writing letters of amendment of this section to the Senates.

Why is this? It is because the political appointees are pressurizing him. Thus, the political appointees are the problem of the new Electoral Act.INEC releases guidelines for political campaigns, party expenses

  1. Dubious Nigerians

These people are problems with the new Electoral Act. They can do all evil. Nobody will see it as a surprise still to hear of election malpractice in the Nigerian electoral process.

The good side of the new Electoral Act is that it will put so many things to check. It will minimize unfairness in our elections. The beauty of democracy is to see the right person emerge as the winner of any election.

However, while some people are trying to repair it, spoilers continue to spoil. Note that technological devices can still be manipulated. Some dubious Nigerians are technological wizards. They can do and undo technologically.

  1. Technological Failures

We are happy that the use of technological devices is now legal in our electoral process. Fine, what about the electricity that these technological devices will use to operate? Has our power supply become stable?

Here comes the problem of the new Electoral Act. The technological devices that it has approved for use can fail. In the past, there had been complaints of the failure of card readers to authenticate some voters. This is a problem.NYSC Portal

Similarly, all forms of data and information transmissions work with the internet. How stable are our internet services? Have you ever gone to use the Automated Teller Machine only to see the notice: “No Service”? A similar thing can happen in the transmission of our election results.

The problem of technological failures can make the new Electoral Act ineffective. Therefore, INEC should be ready for the problem of technological failures.105 Good morning my love messages and quotes for your sweetheart

Read Also; 10 Problems Facing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Nigeria

  1. Misappropriation

The problem of misappropriation of funds threatens the new Electoral Act. The new Electoral Act has given INEC a special fund for the conduct of its elections. It is now left for INEC to use its funds judiciously.

However, misappropriation of the funds that accrue to INEC can occur. When this happens, it can bring a problem to the implementation new Electoral Act.

You cannot trust a man until you give him money. The moment some people have money, they do the unwanted. INEC Money managers can decide to divert the money meant for elections to other things that are not related to elections. Such misappropriation of funds can be a problem for the implementation of the new Electoral Act.

  1. Corruption

Corruption is gradually becoming a household name in Nigeria. It is no more news that many Nigerian leaders are corrupt.200 Romantic Love Message for her

To some Nigerians, INEC is the most corrupt establishment in Nigeria. Of course, so many INEC officials have been indicted in the past.

Some time ago, two hundred and two (202) INEC staffers were indicted. Reports had it that, INEC staffers from sixteen (16) states of the federation received N3.4 billion to influence election results.

The rigging of elections cannot succeed without INEC’s corrupt officials. These corrupt officials take money from candidates to favor them unduly. They can even arrange with box snatchers and blame them in disguise.

With these people still in INEC, the new Electoral Act might be a new wine in an old bottle. No matter the technological advancement and legality, technological devices would not operate themselves. Corrupt people can still manipulate them in their favor. Thus, corrupt people are problems with the new Electoral Act.

Read Also; 10 Problems and Challenges Facing the Nigerian Bar Association

Conclusion

In conclusion, only God can help Nigeria out of its electoral problems. May God remove bad people from Nigeria for its betterment!Jamb Portal

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Isaiah Atawheke

Isaiah is a Content Developer at InfoGuideNIgeria.com. InfoGuide Nigeria is a team of Resource Persons and Consultants led by Ifiokobong Ibanga. Page maintained by Ifiokobong Ibanga. If you need a personal assistance on this topic, kindly contact us.

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