The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to the National Assembly to expedite action on electoral law reforms to ensure adequate preparation for the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, made the appeal while receiving the European Union Election Observation Follow-up Mission, stressing that the early passage of the reforms was crucial to effective planning for the polls.
He noted that while the Commission had already implemented administrative measures within its powers and engaged stakeholders on various aspects, 15 key recommendations—five of them priority areas—require input from the executive, legislature, judiciary, political parties, civil society, the media, and professional bodies.
Yakubu stressed that timely amendments to the Electoral Act and the Constitution are critical for effective election planning, warning that delays could create uncertainty. “For instance, without clarity in the law, we cannot finalize regulations, guidelines, or training manuals for our election officials,” he cautioned.
The Chairman disclosed that both international and domestic observer reports influenced INEC’s 142 reform proposals after the 2023 polls. He reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to maintain collaboration with international partners such as the EU, Commonwealth, African Union, and ECOWAS in preparation for the 2027 elections.
Earlier, the Head of the EU delegation and Chief Observer of the 2023 mission, Barry Andrews, commended Nigeria’s contribution to global democratic processes. He further acknowledged the progress recorded by INEC in its efforts to reinforce democratic governance in the country.
“Our mission is to track the extent of progress in adopting the recommendations made after the 2023 elections. While we have seen notable improvements, some gaps remain, especially in judicial, constitutional, and administrative areas,” Andrews remarked.
He praised INEC’s post-election review and identified transparency in the publication of results as a continuing area of concern. He also expressed interest in the conduct of off-cycle governorship elections since 2023, describing them as opportunities for learning and future refinement.
Andrews, who also serves as a Member of the European Parliament, emphasized that election observation is part of a wider global commitment to strengthening democracy. He further acknowledged Nigeria’s contributions to election monitoring efforts in Europe.
