Section 18 Electoral Act 2026

Section 18 of the Nigerian Electoral Act 2026 is about Power to issue replacement permanent voters’ cards. It provides as follows:

(1) Whenever a voter’s card is lost, destroyed, defaced, torn or otherwise damaged, the owner of such card shall, not less than 90 days before polling day, apply in person to the electoral officer or any other officer duly authorised for that
purpose by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, stating the circumstances of
the loss, destruction, defacement or damage:

Provided that, nothing in this section shall prevent the owner of such card from
printing a downloadable copy.

(2) Any person shall not issue a replacement permanent voter’s card to any voter
less than 90 days before polling day.

(3) Where the electoral officer or any other officer is satisfied as to the circumstances of the loss, destruction, defacement or damage of the voter’s card, he or she shall issue to the voter another copy of the voter’s original voter’s card with the word “REPLACEMENT” clearly marked or printed on it, showing the date of issue.

(4) Any person who contravenes subsection (3) commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to a fine not more than N200,000 or imprisonment for a term not
more than two years or both.

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