Fake Ballots Could Be Accepted Under Section 63(2) Of Electoral Act — Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki Raises Concerns Over Credibility Of 2027 Elections, Seeks INEC Chairman’s Briefing
Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, a lawmaker representing Sokoto State, has raised concerns over Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act, warning that it could undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives, Dasuki argued that the provision allows presiding officers to accept ballot papers without INEC’s official marks or security features, raising concerns about fake ballots being counted.
“Section 63 subsection 2, Mr. Speaker, gave a polling unit officer or presiding officer the opportunity to accept any paper that is not having the marks or any security feature of INEC,” he said.
Comparing the situation to counterfeit currency, he added: “It’s just like you saying go to the bank, collect money — if you Have fake money inside the bank, for as long as it’s in the bundle, that means it’s accepted.”
Dasuki said he and the House Whip had submitted a bill to address the issue. He also called for the INEC chairman to brief lawmakers on the commission’s preparedness for the 2027 elections.
“We don’t want to wait till on the eve of election before we know what INEC is going to do, and we are the only ones empowered in the constitution to ask INEC how ready they are,” he stated.
He also expressed concern over security challenges and INEC’s funding, urging the House to debate the bill and motion before the elections.
Responding, the Speaker promised to review the matter and try to accommodate the motion within the week.
“I have heard what you have said, I will look at your issue, and we will try as much as possible within the week to accommodate the motion that you already brought before the parliament in July,” the Speaker said.
