Opposition Parties Back Senate To Make INEC Prove Election Credibility

Major opposition parties have thrown their weight behind the Senate’s proposal to shift the burden of proof in election petitions from aggrieved candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The change is part of the ongoing amendment to the Electoral Act ahead of the 2025 general elections.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) all expressed support for the move, saying it would make INEC more accountable and restore confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

PDP’s Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, described the plan as a major step toward fairness in election disputes. He said it was time for INEC to take responsibility for defending the credibility of elections it conducts instead of leaving petitioners to struggle with proving malpractice cases.

He recalled how opposition parties often faced challenges obtaining election materials from INEC during tribunal proceedings, even when ordered by the court. According to him, the current legal framework places an unfair burden on petitioners, making it nearly impossible to overturn flawed elections.

Osuoha also supported another proposed reform that would make electronic accreditation and transmission of results mandatory, saying it would strengthen the integrity of future polls.

The Labour Party, through its National Publicity Secretary, Tony Akeni, said the idea was positive if driven by genuine intent. However, he cautioned that the amendment must include strict penalties for corrupt electoral officials who could exploit the law for personal gain.

Akeni referenced the experience of the 2023 presidential election petitions, where the party’s legal team struggled to obtain key materials from INEC before the tribunal deadline expired. He warned that without strong enforcement and sanctions, dishonest officials could still manipulate the process.

The CUPP also welcomed the amendment, describing it as a historic shift in Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence. Its National Secretary, Chief Peter Ameh, said the proposal would relieve candidates of the heavy financial and evidential burden of proving election irregularities.

He said requiring INEC to demonstrate that elections were free and fair would increase transparency, reduce manipulation, and strengthen public trust in democracy. He also called for the creation of an Electoral Offences Tribunal to swiftly prosecute electoral crimes and deter malpractice.

Ameh noted that the reform, if passed and sincerely implemented, could help restore faith in Nigeria’s electoral system and give all political actors a fair chance to seek justice after elections.