INEC to N’Assembly: Fast-Track Electoral Act Amendments

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the National Assembly to accelerate amendments to Nigeria’s electoral legal framework, warning that delays could affect preparations for the next general elections.

Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja while hosting Barry Andrews, Head of the European Union (EU) election observation follow-up mission to Nigeria.

Yakubu stressed that early passage of electoral reforms would provide clarity and stability for the commission’s operations.

“Uncertainty over the legal framework for the election can unsettle the work of the commission as election draws nearer,” he said.

The INEC chairman explained that the commission had reviewed all eight recommendations directed at it in the EU mission’s final report on the 2023 polls.

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Yakubu noted that in 2019, the EU made 30 recommendations, with 11 directed at INEC — three of them classified as priority. In 2023, eight recommendations were addressed to INEC, while 15 others requiring broader action were directed at the executive, legislature, judiciary, political parties, and other stakeholders.

“The commission has carefully considered all the eight recommendations specifically addressed to us in your report. Action has been taken on aspects of the recommendations that only require administrative action to implement.

“Similarly, action is being taken on cross-cutting recommendations that require collective action between INEC and other bodies and stakeholders, while waiting for the conclusion of the ongoing legal review by the National Assembly on the recommendations that require legislative intervention,” Yakubu said.

Responding, Barry Andrews said the mission’s visit was to evaluate progress made in implementing its recommendations, identify persisting challenges, and review possible obstacles to reform.

“We are very happy to see that there has been significant progress against these recommendations. We recognise that there are certain time constraints, both in terms of judicial reform as well as administrative reform,” Andrews said.

He noted that the EU remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s democratic process, especially ahead of future elections.