INEC, NASS Committee Call For Electoral Reform, As It Holds Retreat

By Akinwale Kasali

As the 2027 Election draws Closer, electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Joint National Assembly Electoral Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives, have

highlighted the need for Electoral Reforms to further strengthen the nation’s democracy.

The electoral reform, according to Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman, is to leverage on the successes achieved at the 2023 Election and to review the hitches it encountered during the election.

He added that the electoral reform will not only strengthen the electoral process, but will further give the electorates a sense of belonging and make them have faith in the electoral body.

Yakubu said that the innovations and technologies brought into use at the last election was following the electoral reform done in 2020, and that was proposed by the Justice Uwais and Senator Ken Nnamani Committee.

He said these reforms will avail INEC to conduct a more free and fairer election in future.

The three-day retreat between the Commission and members of the Joint committee on electoral matters is tagged “Emergent Issues in the Electoral Lagal Framework”, is holding at Marriot Hotel, Ikeja in Lagos from Monday 28th April to 30th of April.

Yakubu emphasized the critical need for continuous reform of the electoral legal framework, stating that the retreat provides a “unique opportunity” to enhance Nigeria’s electoral process through legislative review and shared field experiences.

He recalled a similar retreat in March 2020 which led to the repeal and re-enactment of the Electoral Act 2022, that collaboration.

He said it marked the first time lawmakers, INEC, and stakeholders collectively addressed critical aspects of electoral laws, including technological innovations, judicial compliance, and observer recommendations.

The INEC Chairman, also, highlighted significant improvements stemming from past reforms.

“Extended Timeline:  The amendment to allow 180 days between party primaries and elections up from 60 days resolved chronic logistical delays.

“This ensured the 2023 General Elections proceeded without postponement, the first time since 2010 .

“Local Production of Materials: For the first time since 1999, all sensitive election materials were printed in Nigeria, a feat praised by the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria.

Yakubu outlined ongoing challenges requiring legislative attention:

-Technological Integration: Strengthening legal backing for INEC’s innovations, such as electronic voting systems.

-Litigation Reduction: Clarifying ambiguities in electoral laws to minimize pre- and post-election disputes.

– Adoption of Good Practices: Incorporating recommendations from past reform committees, including the Uwais (2009), Lemu (2011), and Nnamani (2017) reports.

The Chairman then stressed that such retreats offer deeper engagement than standard committee hearings, enabling lawmakers to gain first hand insights into election management challenges.

He also acknowledged the support of development partners in advancing Nigeria’s electoral integrity.

The Vice Chairman Senate House Committee on Electoral Reform, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua in his remarks said election are the major plan of leadership position to deliver democracy.

He commended the INEC Chairman on the progress they have made which are remarkable and better than the previous one, however, much is needed to be done in electoral laws misconduct of electoral officers and to safe guard the legal framework so that the declared results will be clear conscience of the Nigeria people.

The Co. Chairman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Adebayo Balogun in his remark said the retreat provides the opportunity to reflect and to deliberate and chart the progressive path to strengthen the electoral framework as one that promotes credible inclusiveness, transparency and fairness in electoral process.

Hon. Balogun also said the focus of the retreat will be on proposed amendment to the electoral act 2022 a registration that had already marked significant milestone in the conduct of elections in Nigeria especially with the introduction of BVAS in the 2023 election.

“The Retreat will allow them to engage directly with INEC understanding that on the proposed changes to ensure that any amendment and also be doing the proposed amendment of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he said.