New Electoral Act Stipulates Stiffer Penalties For Offences

By Ayodele Oni

As part of measures  to guarantee the credibility of 2027 general elections, the new Electoral Act, has introduced tougher sanctions for electoral malpractice.

The act was signed into law by Bola Tinubu in February this year, replacing the earlier Electoral Act 2022.

An analysis of the new law, particularly Part VII (Sections 118–133), by The Insight Lens Project, significantly increases fines and penalties for offences ranging from ballot papers possession to voter card abuse.

Under the updated provisions, electoral offences such as the forgery of a voter’s registration card now attract a ₦5 million fine, 12 months imprisonment, or both,

while the forgery of nomination papers or election result forms carries a two-year jail term.

The Act also imposes some of its toughest sanctions on unauthorized possession of sensitive election materials.

Anyone found illegally possessing a ballot paper or result form outside the voting process before the completion of an election faces a ₦75 million fine, up to 10 years imprisonment, or both.

The legislation also addresses the misuse of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC). Offences such as buying, selling, possessing multiple voter cards, or transferring them to another person are punishable by a ₦5 million fine or 12 months imprisonment.

Similarly, impersonation or voting when not qualified carries a ₦2 million fine or up to one year in prison.

The Act stipulates that anyone offering or receiving inducements to influence voting may face a ₦2 million fine or 12 months imprisonment, while voters who accept bribes risk a ₦500,000 fine or a one-year jail term.

The law also criminalises threats or undue influence against voters, prescribing penalties of up to three years imprisonment or a ₦2 million fine.

Other offences addressed include wrongful voting, false statements about candidates, and voting by unregistered persons, each punishable by a ₦200,000 fine or six months imprisonment.

Disorderly conduct at polling units or political meetings now attracts a ₦2 million fine or a one-year jail term, while canvassing or soliciting for votes on election day may result in a ₦500,000 fine or 12 months imprisonment.