The Independent National Electoral Commission has cautioned that delays in passing critical electoral reforms could affect preparations for the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, raised the concern on Thursday, October 2, when he received the European Union Election Observation Follow-up Mission in Abuja.
He stressed that an early legal framework was necessary for effective planning.
“An 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 (Senate and House of Representatives),” Yakubu said.
“We appeal to the National Assembly for an expeditious consideration of the electoral reform proposal.
“An early passage of law is critical to our planning for the elections. Uncertainty over the legal framework for the election can unsettle the work of the Commission as the election draws nearer,” he warned.
Yakubu confirmed that of the 23 recommendations made by the EU in its 2023 final report, only eight directly applied to INEC, with just one marked as a priority.
Others, including five top reforms, fall under the jurisdiction of the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Flags Off INEC HQ Construction, Pledges Electoral Reforms
“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 while waiting for the conclusion of the ongoing legal review by the National Assembly,” he explained.
Earlier, Chief of the EU Follow-up Mission, Barry Andrews, said electoral reforms were essential for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and aligning with global standards.
“We recognise that there are certain time constraints, both in terms of judicial reform as well as administrative reform, and of course, constitutional reform, which is much more difficult,” Andrews stated.
“There are specific areas that require legislative action, and we would be delighted as a team to hear from you about what progress has been made and what concerns you have about obstacles in the future.”
He noted progress since the 2023 elections but emphasised that many of the EU’s recommendations remained unimplemented.
The EU had flagged six top priorities, including clarifying ambiguities in the law, introducing a transparent process for appointing INEC officials, publishing real-time election results, strengthening media protection, addressing discrimination against women in politics, and ensuring accountability for electoral offences.
Yakubu assured that Nigeria remained open to international observers and said invitations would soon be extended to the EU, Commonwealth, African Union, and ECOWAS for the 2027 elections.
The renewed push for reforms comes amid mounting domestic pressure and INEC’s own 142 internal recommendations from its post-election review. However, legislative action has yet to gain momentum in the National Assembly.