BY CAROLINE AMEH
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has urged the National Assembly to swiftly conclude the ongoing review of Nigeria’s electoral legal framework to enable timely implementation ahead of future elections.
Speaking in Lagos at a retreat organized for the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Electoral Matters, Prof. Yakubu emphasized the importance of close collaboration between lawmakers and the election management body in reforming the nation’s electoral laws.
Reflecting on the achievements of a similar retreat held in 2020, Prof. Yakubu noted that the engagement between INEC and legislators played a pivotal role in the eventual repeal and re-enactment of the Electoral Act 2010, culminating in the Electoral Act 2022.
According to him, that collaboration introduced vital innovations in election management, especially the integration of technology, clarification of legal ambiguities, and adoption of international best practices.
The INEC Chairman highlighted one notable outcome of the previous reforms: the amendment that extended the period between the conduct of party primaries and general elections from 60 to 180 days.
This adjustment, he said, gave INEC sufficient time to prepare logistics, leading to the successful conduct of the 2023 General Election without postponement, a first in three electoral cycles.
Moreover, for the first time since 1999, all sensitive election materials for the 2023 elections were printed within Nigeria, earning INEC commendation from the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON).
Prof. Yakubu stressed the importance of focused retreats like the Lagos gathering, arguing that they provide deeper engagement and better understanding of the complexities of election management than routine public hearings at the National Assembly.
“As we embark on yet another review of our electoral laws, we will share with the lawmakers our field experiences and proposed reforms,” he said.
“This retreat is a unique opportunity to strengthen the foundation of our electoral process, which is rooted in a robust legal framework.”
He also expressed appreciation to Nigeria’s development partners for their consistent support over the years, urging them to continue standing with the country’s electoral process.
Prof. Yakubu appealed to the National Assembly to expedite the amendment process, emphasizing that a prompt conclusion would give INEC ample time for planning and implementation in line with the new legal requirements.
