In this week’s edition of The Ballot, INEC has launched an online portal for political party registration as the number of applicants now stands at 129. Meanwhile, the commission has fixed August 16 for a by-election in Niger’s Munya Constituency, and in Osun, preparations are in full swing for both the 2026 gubernatorial election and the...

This week’s edition of The Ballot spotlights major developments shaping Nigeria’s political and electoral landscape. From a landmark civic training programme for young women leaders in Lagos to legal action challenging the structure of local elections, the political space continues to evolve in dynamic ways. We also take a look at the ongoing debate around the Rivers...

As Nigeria looks toward the 2027 general elections, the pressing question remains: are we building a stronger democracy, or simply reinforcing old patterns under new rhetoric? In this edition of The Ballot, we explore the widening gap between electoral reforms promised at the top and the demands echoing from civil society, youth groups, and local governance actors. President...

As Nigeria commemorates 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, we are compelled to ask: How far have we truly come, and how much further do we need to go? While this milestone deserves celebration, it also demands reflection. In this issue of The Ballot, we bring you stories that capture the duality of Nigeria’s democratic...

Nigeria’s 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule is a significant milestone, especially when you consider the democratic backsliding and military interventions rising within the continent. It is a testament to the resilience and commitment of Nigerians to democratic governance, even in the face of numerous challenges. From the return to civilian rule in 1999 to...

The spotlight this week fell on electoral reform as the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, endorsed the Early Voting Bill—an initiative aimed at allowing military personnel and other essential workers, including INEC officials and journalists, to vote ahead of Election Day. With support from Yiaga Africa and other advocates of electoral inclusivity, the...

Democracy requires all eligible persons to vote and fully participate in the political process. Despite Nigeria’s 26-year history of democracy, systemic and administrative barriers continue to disenfranchise major portions of the population, including Nigerians living abroad, critical workers on election day, and prison inmates. During the 2023 general elections alone, an estimated 2million Nigerians were...

This week’s edition of The Ballot brings you critical updates from the electoral and political landscape—beginning with INEC’s official announcement of dates for the 2026 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, and the swearing-in of six new Resident Electoral Commissioners. We also spotlight important advocacy efforts, including Yiaga Africa’s push for early voting legislation, and the...

This edition of The Ballot INEC’s landmark step to establish an Artificial Intelligence Division, signaling a move toward a more technologically advanced electoral system. But will innovation translate into transparency? Meanwhile, President Tinubu has been adopted as the APC’s sole candidate, prompting reflection on the balance between party unity and democratic pluralism. Opposition dynamics are...

Yiaga Africa unequivocally rejects the proposed bill under consideration in the National Assembly seeking to introduce compulsory voting in Nigeria and prescribing a six-month jail term on eligible voters who refuse to vote at elections. The said bill is conceived as a legislative intervention to address the abysmally lowvoter turnout. While the rationale for the...