The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has called for a renewed push for electoral reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Monday at a two-day retreat in Lagos organized for INEC officials and members of the Joint National Assembly Committee on Electoral Matters, Professor Yakubu emphasized the need for continuous updates to the country’s electoral legal framework. He stressed that reforms are essential to addressing emerging challenges in election management and building public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
“The retreat offers a unique opportunity to deepen legislative understanding of election operations and to enhance Nigeria’s electoral process through shared experiences,” Yakubu stated.
Recalling the 2020 retreat that led to the enactment of the Electoral Act 2022, Yakubu highlighted the major improvements achieved through past collaborations. These included extending the timeline for conducting party primaries, ensuring local production of sensitive election materials, and improving the overall logistics and credibility of the elections.
According to him, the amendment that allowed for a 180-day gap between party primaries and the general election helped INEC overcome chronic logistical issues, making the 2023 elections the first in over a decade not to be postponed.
However, Yakubu noted that challenges remain and called for legislative attention in three critical areas:
- Strengthening Technological Integration: Providing robust legal backing for electronic voting and other technology-driven innovations.
- Reducing Electoral Litigation: Clarifying ambiguous sections of the law to minimize the number of disputes before and after elections.
- Adopting Good Practices: Incorporating recommendations from previous electoral reform reports, including those by the Uwais, Lemu, and Nnamani committees.
He also acknowledged the vital role of development partners in supporting Nigeria’s electoral integrity and urged for a collective approach in shaping further amendments to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.
As the retreat continues, INEC plans to share field experiences with lawmakers to guide future reforms and ensure that the electoral system is more transparent, credible, and resilient ahead of 2027.
