INEC Urges National Assembly to Amend Electoral Laws

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.

Yakubu stressed that the prompt passage of the legislation is vital for the commission’s preparations for the upcoming general election. He warned that uncertainty surrounding the legal framework could disrupt INEC’s work as the election draws near. The 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; three were classified as priorities and the remaining eight were general.

According to Yakubu, the other 15 recommendations—including five marked as priorities—require action from institutions such as the executive, legislature, judiciary, political parties and other stakeholders. He informed Andrews that INEC has taken administrative action on some recommendations and is working on cross‑cutting items that need collective effort between INEC and other bodies. However, the commission is awaiting the conclusion of the National Assembly’s legal review on recommendations that require legislative intervention.

Andrews explained that the mission’s visit aimed to assess the progress INEC has made in implementing the recommendations on the 2023 general election. He expressed satisfaction with the significant progress achieved, while acknowledging the time constraints related to judicial and administrative reforms. Yakubu’s appeal for speedy amendments underscores the importance of a stable and clear regulatory environment for conducting free and fair elections. As Nigeria prepares for its next general election, timely passage of the legislation will be crucial to ensure the commission’s readiness and the integrity of the electoral process.