INEC pushes for electoral reforms, submits 142 proposals to NASS

By Kunle Sanni

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has submitted 142 post-election reform recommendations to the National Assembly, with eight proposals requiring amendments to the 1999 Constitution or the Electoral Act 2022, according to INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

Speaking to journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, Yakubu said the commission is actively engaging with lawmakers to ensure the electoral legal framework is updated well ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We’ve been interfacing with the National Assembly and are encouraged by the speed and seriousness with which they are approaching the electoral reform process,” Yakubu stated.

The proposals address key concerns from the 2023 general elections, including voter accreditation, electronic transmission of results, and stricter penalties for electoral offences.

Yakubu noted that the reform process is already underway, with a recent retreat in Lagos involving INEC officials and members of the National Assembly’s joint electoral committee. A public hearing is expected to follow, after which a draft bill will be sent to President Bola Tinubu for consideration.

“We reviewed the 2023 general elections internally and with stakeholders,” he explained. “From that process, we arrived at 142 recommendations—eight of which require changes to either the Constitution or the Electoral Act. The National Assembly is taking the lead from here, and we are working closely with them.”

The INEC chairman spoke shortly after witnessing the swearing-in of two new National Commissioners—Abdulrazak Tukur (North West) and Professor Sunday Aja (South East)—by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.

Civil society organisations, including Yiaga Africa and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), have called for the reforms to be concluded early in the electoral cycle to avoid last-minute changes similar to the delayed passage of the Electoral Act 2022. Yakubu also dismissed online rumours about his removal from office, reaffirming his position as the legally recognised chairman of the commission.