The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Monday called for several amendments to the 1999 Constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Top on the list are provisions for Diaspora voting, early voting for security personnel and other officials on election duty, voting rights for inmates, the creation of special seats for women and persons with disabilities, and dedicated funding for the Commission.
political party was fielding candidates in each of the 1,491 seats made up of 1 presidential constituency, 28 governorship, 109 senatorial, 360 federal and 993 state constituencies,” the Commission added.
Yakubu further said: “We need the information for customisation of the ballot papers and results sheets. Moreover, the Voters’ Register, which is the basis for planning the procurement of sensitive materials, has been increasing with every election by an average of 10 million new voters from 2011 to the last election in 2023.
“The solution was to amend the Electoral Act to provide for more time between party primaries and the nomination of candidates on the one hand and the dates fixed for the election on the other. The Commission initially asked for one year, which was not favourably considered by the lawmakers who eventually settled for the current 180 days (that is six months).
“As a result of that decision, the Commission had ample time to plan and consequently, for the first time in three electoral cycles, the 2023 General Election was not postponed on account of logistics associated with the printing and delivery of sensitive materials.
“Equally significant is that for the first time since the restoration of democracy in 1999, not a single sheet of paper for the 2023 General Election was printed outside Nigeria. Everything was done within the country, for which the Commission was commended by the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON).
“As we embark on yet another review of our electoral laws, we will share with the lawmakers our field experience and draw attention to some of the proposed reforms and their implications for the management of elections. This is what makes the retreat of this nature a unique opportunity to improve our electoral process, the foundation of which is rooted in the legal framework.”
He appealed to the National Assembly to expedite action to conclude the electoral legal framework speedily so that the Commission will have enough time for implementation
