Abuja: Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged the National Assembly to swiftly pass amendments to the electoral legal framework. Yakubu emphasized the importance of this action during a meeting with the European Union (EU) Election Observation Follow-up Mission to Nigeria, led by Mr. Barry Andrews, who headed the EU Mission to the 2023 General Election.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Yakubu stressed that an early passage of the law is crucial for the commission's planning for the upcoming general election. He expressed concerns that uncertainty over the legal framework could disrupt the commission's preparations as the election approaches. Yakubu highlighted that the commission had thoroughly reviewed the eight recommendations specifically addressed to it by the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) report on the 2023 general election.
Yakubu recalled that in 2019, the EU EOM made 30 recommendations, with 11 specifically directed at INEC. Of these, three were identified as priority recommendations, while eight were categorized as general. In contrast, the EU EOM 2023 report made 23 recommendations, with eight requiring action by INEC and only one listed as a priority. The remaining 15 recommendations, including five prioritized, require action by other entities such as the executive, legislature, judiciary, political parties, and multiple stakeholders.
The commission has taken action on recommendations requiring only administrative measures and is collaborating on cross-cutting recommendations needing joint efforts with other bodies. Yakubu noted that the EU recommendations, alongside similar reports from other observers, were the basis for extensive consultations with critical institutions during INEC's review of the 2023 General Election. The review report includes 142 recommendations for electoral reform, and INEC had previously published the main 2023 General Election report.
Yakubu assured the EU EOM of INEC's continued engagement, acknowledging that their recommendations have enhanced the quality of elections and electoral activities. Mr. Andrews, representing the EU mission, expressed interest in the progress made by INEC in implementing the commission's recommendations and addressing future challenges, particularly those concerning constitutional change.
Andrews acknowledged significant progress against the recommendations and recognized the time constraints related to judicial, administrative, and constitutional reforms. He emphasized that the recommendations align with international standards that Nigeria and many other countries have endorsed. Andrews also noted the importance of measures to improve transparency in the publication of election results, as recommended by the mission.