The Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, has insisted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is legally required to issue a notice of election at least 360 days before any general election.
Nwankwo stated this on Wednesday while speaking during an interview on Prime Time, a current affairs programme aired on Arise Television and monitored by DAILY POST.
He cautioned the National Assembly against further delays in passing amendments to the Electoral Act, stressing that time is running out and electoral reforms must now be treated as a priority.
According to him, adequate preparation for elections depends largely on certainty in the legal and institutional framework guiding the process.
“We need time for preparation for the election. We need certain things in the electoral laws and legal framework. Both international instruments, including ECOWAS protocols, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act all stipulate the need for certainty in electoral law,” Nwankwo said.
He explained that existing laws are already clear on the issue of election notice, noting that the 360-day requirement remains entrenched in the current 2022 Electoral Act.
“When you look at the Constitution and the Electoral Act, it is quite clear that notice of election must be given 360 days before the election. Those 360 days are still in the current 2022 Electoral Act, so it is not a problem,” he added.
However, Nwankwo pointed out that beyond the law itself, INEC is required to make formal announcements and pronouncements to activate the electoral process within the stipulated timeframe.
He also commended the National Assembly for its ongoing legislative efforts, describing the Senate and House of Representatives as proactive in their deliberations.
“I must say that the National Assembly has been fantastic. The Senate and the House of Representatives are going through the process of deliberations, reviews, conversations, and they actually do have a document,” he said.
Nwankwo’s comments come amid growing public concern over electoral timelines and the urgency of completing electoral reforms ahead of future polls.
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