\n\n
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the National Assembly to urgently amend Section 63 of the Electoral Act, warning that the provision poses a serious risk to the credibility of Nigeria’s elections. 
Atiku specifically criticised a clause that allows a ballot paper without an official mark to still be counted at the discretion of a returning officer. He argued that this introduces ambiguity into the electoral process and opens the door for manipulation. According to him, such discretion weakens the integrity of voting, which should be based on clear and verifiable standards. 
Describing the issue as more than a technical flaw, Atiku warned that any system allowing subjective judgment in validating ballots could compromise the will of the people. He stressed that democracy depends on certainty, insisting that a ballot should either meet legal requirements or be rejected outright, without room for personal interpretation. 
He also urged the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to tighten both the law and operational guidelines to eliminate loopholes ahead of future elections. Additionally, he called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure stricter scrutiny of electoral legislation before assent. 
The call comes amid growing concerns over the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral framework, especially as preparations gradually build toward the 2027 general elections. 
