Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has emphasized the critical need for continuous reform of the electoral legal framework.
He said this in his opening remarks at a two-day retreat between the Commission and members of the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters.
The ongoing event brought together members of the Commission, lawmakers, electoral stakeholders, and development partners to address emerging challenges issues.
Yakubu welcomed attendees, noting 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, 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 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 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
As the retreat continues, INEC 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.
