Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has urged the National Assembly to urgently pass amendments to the nation’s electoral laws, warning that delays could derail preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Yakubu issued the warning on Thursday in Abuja while receiving the European Union (EU) Election Observation Follow-up Mission led by Mr Barry Andrews, who also headed the EU Mission to the 2023 polls.
“Uncertainty over the legal framework for the election can unsettle the work of the commission as election draws nearer,” he cautioned.
The INEC Chairman disclosed that the EU Observation Mission’s 2023 final report made 23 recommendations, of which eight (34.8 per cent) were directed at INEC while the remaining 15 (65.2 per cent) required action by other arms of government. He noted that INEC had implemented recommendations requiring only administrative action and was engaging stakeholders on those needing broader collaboration, while awaiting legislative input from the National Assembly.
Yakubu further revealed that INEC’s internal review after the 2023 polls produced 142 recommendations for reform, many of which, he stressed, also required legislative intervention. “Election is a process governed by law, and many of your recommendations require legislative action,” he said, adding that the commission had already met with the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters.
Responding, Mr Andrews commended INEC for what he described as “significant progress” since 2023 but stressed that constitutional and judicial reforms were still critical. He said the EU mission was especially keen on transparency in result publication during off cycle elections.