The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria has urged the National Assembly to expedite amendments to the country’s electoral legal framework. INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu made this appeal during a meeting with Barry Andrews, who leads the European Union’s election observation follow-up mission to Nigeria. The meeting took place in Abuja on Thursday.
According to Yakubu, the prompt passage of the legislation is vital for the commission’s preparations for the upcoming general election. He emphasized that uncertainty surrounding the legal framework for the election could disrupt the commission’s work as the election draws near. The INEC chairman noted that the commission has reviewed the eight recommendations addressed to it in the EU mission’s report on the 2023 polls.
In 2019, the EU mission had made 30 recommendations, with 11 specifically directed at INEC. Of these, three were classified as priorities, while the other eight were general. Yakubu stated that the remaining 15 recommendations, including five marked as priorities, require action from other institutions, such as the executive, legislature, judiciary, political parties, and stakeholders.
Yakubu informed Andrews that the commission has taken administrative action on some of the recommendations and is working on cross-cutting recommendations that require collective action between INEC and other bodies. However, the commission is awaiting the conclusion of the ongoing legal review by the National Assembly on recommendations that require legislative intervention.
Andrews explained that the mission’s visit aimed to assess the progress made by INEC in implementing the recommendations on the 2023 general election. He expressed satisfaction with the significant progress made, acknowledging the time constraints related to judicial and administrative reforms.
The INEC chairman’s appeal for speedy amendments to the electoral legal framework highlights the importance of a stable and clear regulatory environment for the conduct of free and fair elections. As Nigeria prepares for its next general election, the timely passage of the legislation will be crucial in ensuring the commission’s readiness and the integrity of the electoral process.
