The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has urged the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of proposed amendments to Nigeria’s electoral laws, warning that delays could undermine preparations for the country’s next general election.
Yakubu made the call in Abuja during a meeting with the European Union Election Observation Follow-up Mission, led by Barry Andrews, who also headed the EU mission during the 2023 polls.
“Uncertainty over the legal framework for the election can unsettle the work of the commission as the election draws nearer,” Yakubu cautioned.
The INEC boss explained that the commission had carefully reviewed the 23 recommendations in the EU Election Observation Mission’s (EU EOM) final report on the 2023 elections. Of these, eight recommendations (34.8%) were directed at INEC, with one listed as a priority.
Yakubu noted that INEC has already acted on proposals requiring only administrative adjustments and is collaborating with other stakeholders on cross-cutting issues. However, he stressed that reforms needing legislative intervention hinge on the National Assembly’s speed in amending the electoral framework.
“As you are aware, an election is a process governed by law. Many of your recommendations require a review of our electoral legal framework,” Yakubu said.
Yakubu disclosed that INEC’s own post-election review produced 142 reform recommendations, based on wide consultations with political parties, civil society, and international observers.
He assured the EU delegation that INEC remained committed to strengthening transparency in result management, building on lessons from both the 2023 general election and subsequent off-cycle governorship elections.
In his remarks, Barry Andrews commended INEC for what he described as “significant progress” in addressing the observer mission’s recommendations. He, however, acknowledged the complexities of implementing reforms that require constitutional amendments.
He added that the EU mission remains focused on Nigeria’s commitment to improving transparency, particularly in the publication of election results, one of the key recommendations in the 2023 report.
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