Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has appealed to the National Assembly to fast-track amendments to Nigeria’s electoral legal framework to allow timely planning for the next general election.
Yakubu made the call in Abuja while receiving the European Union (EU) Election Observation Follow-up Mission to Nigeria, led by Barry Andrews, who also headed the EU Mission to the 2023 general elections.
According to him, uncertainty over the electoral law could unsettle INEC’s preparations if not addressed early.
“Uncertainty over the legal framework for the election can unsettle the work of the commission as election draws nearer,” Yakubu warned.
The INEC boss disclosed that the commission had reviewed all eight recommendations addressed to it in the EU Election Observation Mission’s 2023 report.
He noted that out of 23 recommendations made by the mission, eight (34.8 per cent) required INEC’s direct action, while 15 (65.2 per cent), including five priority recommendations, required action by other entities such as the legislature, judiciary, political parties, and other stakeholders.
Yakubu said INEC had already acted on recommendations requiring administrative adjustments and was working with relevant institutions on cross-cutting reforms while awaiting the National Assembly’s legislative review.
He recalled that in 2019, the EU EOM made 30 recommendations, 11 of which were directed at INEC, including three priority ones. By contrast, the 2023 recommendations narrowed to 23, reflecting progress in electoral management.
“As you are aware, election is a process governed by law. Many of your recommendations require the review of our electoral laws. For this reason, the commission had interfaced with our National Assembly, including a retreat with the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters,” Yakubu added.
The INEC chairman assured that the commission remained committed to engaging both national and international observers, stressing that their input had significantly improved Nigeria’s electoral process.
In his remarks, Barry Andrews commended INEC for progress made so far in implementing the EU EOM’s 2023 recommendations. He, however, noted that constitutional reforms remained more challenging and time-bound.
“We recognise that there are certain time constraints, both in terms of judicial reform as well as administrative reform. Of course, constitutional reform is somewhat more difficult, but we are making all of these recommendations against international standards,” Andrews said.
He added that the mission was also interested in measures taken to improve transparency, particularly on the publication of results in subsequent off-cycle governorship elections.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
