MON APRIL 28 2025-theGBJournal| The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has pushed for continuous reform of Nigeria’s electoral legal framework.
His agitation for more reform was made during his opening remarks at a two-day retreat between the Commission and members of the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters where he also highlighted some significant improvements stemming from past reforms.
Notable among the reforms are the extended timeline between party primaries and elections as well as the local production of sensitive election materials.
The amendment in extended timeline consequently allowed 180 days between party primaries and elections up from 60 days. The extension helped resolved chronic logistical delays which for so long, dogged the process.
”This ensured the 2023 general elections proceeded without postponement, the first time since 2010,” the INCE Chairman noted. .
The last reform also made it possible for all sensitive election materials to be printed in Nigeria for the first time since 1999, a feat praised by the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria.
The two-day retreat brought together members of the Commission, lawmakers, electoral stakeholders, and development partners to address emerging challenges issues.
”The retreat provides a “unique opportunity” to enhance Nigeria’s electoral process through legislative review and shared field experiences.” Yakubu noted.
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, ”marked the first time lawmakers, INEC, and stakeholders collectively addressed critical aspects of electoral laws, including technological innovations, judicial compliance, and observer recommendations.
The chairman stressed that such retreats offer deeper engagement than standard committee hearings, enabling lawmakers to gain first hand insights into election management challenges.
He acknowledged the support of development partners in advancing Nigeria’s electoral integrity.
Meanwhile, Chairman Yakubu touched on issues requiring legislative attention. First among which is the need to strengthen the legal backing on INEC’s technological integration and innovations which involves electronic voting systems.
There is also the issue of electoral laws which are ambiguous and cumbersome. The Chairman wishes to see a process that will easily clarifying ambiguities in laws to minimize pre-and post-election disputes.
He also wants to see adoption of good practices, practices which includes incorporating recommendations from past reform committees, including the Uwais (2009), Lemu (2011), and Nnamani (2017) reports.
INEC, at the retreat, said it plans to share field experiences with lawmakers to guide further amendments to the Constitution and Electoral Act.
”The goal,” Yakubu said, ”is to fortify Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of future polls.”
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