Rep Calls for One-Day Election in 2027, Urges Change to Electoral Act

The Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dasuki, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to change the staggered plan for the 2027 general election. He wants both federal and state elections to happen on the same day.

Dasuki is worried about Section 63 (2) of the Electoral Act. He believes it might affect the fairness of the 2027 elections. This section allows ballot papers without the official mark of the electoral commission to be counted in some cases.

A statement shared with PUNCH Online on Sunday said he made these comments while meeting with youths from the African Democratic Congress. They visited him to congratulate him on becoming the deputy minority leader.

“While speaking to the youths, he said holding the 2027 general election on one day would save the country a lot of money. He said staggered elections disrupt businesses and everyday life. A one-day election would also lessen the costs for the government. Expenses for electoral workers, security, and other logistics would only happen for one day,” the statement said.

He added that combining the elections is important due to limited funds that could be used for other essential needs. He noted that a single election day would cut down on travel for Nigerians and participants. This is especially important given the security issues in the country.

Dasuki explained that under the current system, people might have to travel once in January for federal elections and again in February for state elections. With one election day, they would only make the trip once.

“Dasuki urged INEC to hold the federal and state elections together in either January or February 2027. He stated that this combined election would have five ballot papers. These would be for the presidential, senatorial, and House of Representatives elections at the federal level, along with the governorship and State House of Assembly elections at the state level,” the statement continued.

The statement also mentioned that the deputy minority leader believes INEC can handle the five ballot papers well if they prepare properly ahead of the polls. He also pointed out that having eight off-cycle governorship elections would make a one-day election easier, as there would be no governorship elections in eight states during the 2027 cycle. In those states, the ballot papers would go down to four.

Dasuki said this setup would simplify the electoral process. It would also help reduce the movement of voters, political figures, election officials, and security personnel across Nigeria.

“With the security situation in Nigeria, voters should not have to make two trips for elections when it can be organized to happen in one day,” the statement quoted him saying.

He raised concerns about a part of the Electoral Act that he believes could harm the integrity of the 2027 elections. He wants Section 63(2) to be removed. This section might allow the counting of ballot papers without the required official mark, which could lead to the use of fake or unauthorized ballots.

Dasuki noted the conflict between Section 63(1) and (2). Quoting Section 63(1), he said: “Subject to subsection (2), a ballot paper which does not bear the official mark prescribed by the Commission shall not be counted.”

However, he is worried about the conditions in Section 63(2). This says: “Where the returning officer is satisfied that a ballot paper which does not bear the official mark was from a book of ballot papers which was furnished to the presiding officer of the polling unit in which the vote was cast for use at the election in question, he or she shall, notwithstanding the absence of the official mark, count the ballot paper.”

Rep Dasuki argued that allowing ballots without the official mark to be counted could let fraud happen and make it hard to tell real ballots from fake ones. He assured that minority leaders are working to fix this before the 2027 elections.

The lawmaker also praised the recent salary increase for the Armed Forces, calling it a good move.