The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has urged the National Assembly to expedite the passage of proposed amendments to Nigeria’s electoral legal framework. Yakubu made the appeal during a meeting with the European Union (EU) Election Observation Follow-up Mission to Nigeria, led by Barry Andrews, in Abuja on Thursday.
The INEC chairman emphasized that the early passage of the amended electoral law is crucial for the commission’s effective planning ahead of the next general election. He noted that uncertainty over the legal framework for the election can unsettle the work of the commission as the election draws nearer. Yakubu recalled that the EU Election Observation Mission’s (EU EOM) report on the 2023 general election contained 23 recommendations, eight of which required action from INEC.
The commission has thoroughly reviewed all eight recommendations and has taken action on those aspects that require only administrative measures for implementation. Additionally, 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.
The EU’s recommendations, alongside those from other national and international election observers, were part of extensive consultations with key institutions and stakeholders during INEC’s post-election review of the 2023 general election. The commission’s review resulted in 142 recommendations for electoral reform, and INEC had already published its main report on the 2023 general election over a year ago.
Barry Andrews, the leader of the EU Election Observation Mission, stated that the mission was at INEC to assess the progress made in implementing the recommendations outlined in the EU EOM’s report on the 2023 general election. Andrews explained that the mission was particularly interested in understanding the extent of implementation, any challenges faced, and concerns related to future reforms, especially those requiring constitutional amendments.
The EU mission recognized that there has been significant progress in addressing the recommendations, but also acknowledged that there are certain time constraints, both in terms of judicial and administrative reforms. Andrews noted that the mission is particularly interested in the steps taken to enhance transparency in the publication of results, one of the key recommendations from their report.
The meeting between INEC and the EU Election Observation Mission highlights the importance of international cooperation and observation in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral processes. The implementation of the recommendations will be crucial in ensuring the integrity and transparency of future elections in the country. With the next general election approaching, the passage of the amended electoral law and the implementation of the recommendations will be closely watched by national and international stakeholders.
