INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has urged the National Assembly to speed up work on electoral reforms, warning that delays in passing the legal framework could disrupt preparations for the 2027 general election.
Yakubu made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja while receiving the European Union Election Observation Follow-up Mission led by Mr. Barry Andrews, a Member of the European Parliament who also headed the EU Mission to Nigeria’s 2023 polls.
He explained that many of the EU’s recommendations require legislative amendments, stressing that early passage of the law is crucial to INEC’s planning.
“Uncertainty over the legal framework for the election can unsettle the work of the Commission as the election draws nearer,” Yakubu said.
The INEC boss disclosed that of the 23 recommendations made by the EU Election Observation Mission in 2023, only eight directly concern INEC, with one identified as priority, while the remaining 15 — including five priority recommendations — fall within the purview of the executive, legislature, judiciary, political parties, civil society, media, and professional bodies.
Yakubu added that INEC has already implemented its share of the recommendations administratively and is working with stakeholders on cross-cutting issues, pending legislative action. He also revealed that INEC’s internal review of the 2023 general elections produced 142 reform recommendations to complement those of election observers.
Reassuring international partners of Nigeria’s openness to election observation, Yakubu said invitations will soon be extended to the EU, Commonwealth, African Union, and ECOWAS for the 2027 polls.
EU Mission leader Barry Andrews commended INEC for engaging stakeholders and emphasized the need for sustained reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
Yakubu also praised the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme, pledging continued collaboration to uphold electoral integrity.
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