Concerns Over INEC’s 142 Electoral Reform Proposals

There is growing concern over the proposed 142 Electoral Reform Proposals by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the National Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Although the 2027 electoral cycle has yet to commence, INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, announced on Monday that the Commission was awaiting action from Nigerian lawmakers concerning the 142 reform proposals to be included in the Electoral Act.

Considering the timing of the proposal and the need for lawmakers to thoroughly review the Electoral Act to avoid glitches in 2027, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other analysts fear the process may negatively affect the polls.

There are concerns that the delay in the electoral reforms, particularly those requiring legislative action through the amendment of the Electoral Act, 2022, and some provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, could have a detrimental impact on the 2027 general election.

Pundits have argued that some of the amendments required, particularly those being advocated by INEC, need adequate time for planning and funding to be implemented before the next national polls.

On April 28, 2025, INEC called on the National Assembly to expedite action to conclude the electoral legal framework swiftly, so that the Commission would have enough time for implementation.

The electoral body made this request at a retreat of the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Electoral Matters and INEC on the “Review of the Electoral Legal Framework” in Lagos on Monday.

“I wish to appeal to the National Assembly to expedite action to conclude the electoral legal framework swiftly so that the Commission will have enough time for implementation,” said Prof. Mahmood Yakubu at the retreat.

Among other things, the Commission requested the legislature to amend the electoral legal framework to allow for the introduction of early or special voting to accommodate eligible voters in essential services, election personnel, voters under incarceration, those in the diaspora, and out-of-country voting for eligible Nigerians during elections by introducing a new subsection 12 (2), as well as amending Section 45 of the Electoral Act.

INEC also urged the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act to establish an Electoral Offences Commission and a Political Party Regulatory Agency.

It further called for the review of Sections 47 (1) and 16 (1, 2 & 4) to modify the requirements for the use of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and allow for the introduction of electronically downloadable voter cards or any other form of ID acceptable to the Commission.

The electoral umpire also called for amendments to Sections 48, 49, 71, and 91 of the 1999 Constitution to provide new provisions for special seats for women and persons with disabilities.

Acknowledging these requests, the Chairman and co-chairman of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Sharafadeen Alli and Hon. Adebayo Balogun, admitted that much still needed to be done on the country’s electoral laws.

“There are constant and unceasing efforts to reform electoral laws and the electoral process. This is imperative in any country practising democracy, particularly in a country like Nigeria,” said Alli at the retreat.

“For his part, Balogun said that continuous improvement of the electoral system was essential to meeting the evolving realities of Nigeria’s democracy.

“As we engage in frank discussions, let us all see how the future of Nigerians will look up to us to build a foundation for free, fair, and credible elections,” Balogun remarked.

Retrospectively, the 9th National Assembly concluded work on the current Electoral Act (amendment bill) before the end of 2021, and former President Muhammadu Buhari signed it into law on February 25, 2022.

The next day (February 26, 2022), INEC released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election, setting the Presidential and National Assembly polls for February 25, 2023, exactly one year after the Electoral Act of 2022 was enacted.

However, for the 10th Assembly, especially in the House of Representatives, where several electoral reform bills have passed a second reading, the committees on electoral matters and constitution review to which they had been referred are yet to hold public hearings.

With just about six months remaining in this year, there are concerns over when the committee on electoral matters, for instance, would hold public hearings on the bills before it submits its report for consideration and approval by the House. After that, there is the transition to the Senate for concurrence/harmonisation by a conference committee, clean-up by the National Assembly bureaucracy, and transmission to the president for assent.

 

Key Electoral Amendment Bills

Both Houses of the National Assembly have passed, for second reading, a bill to amend the 2022 Electoral Act, making electronic transmission of results mandatory. Sponsored by Francis Waive (APC, Delta), the bill also proposes holding all elections—presidential, Senate, House of Representatives, governors, and state assemblies—on the same day.

The bill further seeks to empower INEC to produce a new voter register every 10 years and remove deceased individuals. Waive, leading the debate, emphasised the need for clarity in electoral laws, arguing that ambiguity should not be allowed. He highlighted that the 2022 Act lacked clear language on electronic transmission, which this bill seeks to address.

Another bill, passed for second reading, seeks to establish an independent authority for the registration, regulation, and funding of political parties. Sponsored by Speaker Hon. Abbas Tajudeen (APC, Kaduna) and Hon. Marcus Onobun (Edo), the bill aims to shift these responsibilities from INEC to the proposed Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.

Additionally, the House passed a bill to amend the Constitution, enabling Nigerians abroad to vote without returning home. Sponsored by Speaker Abbas and Hon. Sodeeq Abdullahi, the bill seeks to expand voting rights for the diaspora.

Further bills include proposals for special seats for women and the disabled in legislative bodies, a system change to require a majority for presidential and gubernatorial elections, and a mandate for a bachelor’s degree for candidates in key offices. Lastly, a bill to create the National Electoral Offences Commission also passed its second reading.

 

Senate Passes Bill for Essential Duty Officers to Vote

Meanwhile, the Senate recently passed, on second reading, a bill to amend the Electoral Act to provide an opportunity for Nigerians with essential duties to exercise their civic rights through early voting.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, seeks to amend the Electoral Act and is entitled the “Electoral Act (Amendment – Early Voting Bill) 2024.”

Leading the debate, Senator Yar’Adua stated that the bill aims to enfranchise a significant group of Nigerians who, due to their duties on election days, are denied their fundamental democratic right—the right to vote.

He said: “This important bill seeks to introduce early voting into the Electoral Act 2022 to enhance inclusion, participation, and the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.” It was first read on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

The bill proposes, among others, that security personnel, electoral officials, and other essential workers must apply 30 days before the early voting day and that a designated early voting date will be set at least seven days before the general election. Special early voting centres will be established in each ward, and votes will be counted on the official election day.

 

Senator Yar’adua noted that early voting has been successfully implemented in other nations: some states in the United States allow early voting up to 45 days before election day, while in Australia, early voting begins 2-3 weeks before elections, with 40 per cent of voters casting ballots early in 2019. The bill received overwhelming support from lawmakers.

 

CSOs, Analysts Express Worry Over Delay

 

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and political analysts have expressed concern over the delay in the electoral reforms, warning that it poses grave consequences for 2027.

 

Samson Itodo, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, voiced concerns over the National Assembly’s ability to meet the timeline set for concluding the electoral reform process, insisting that it was essential to finish the exercise this year to ensure adequate preparations for the 2027 elections.

 

Itodo explained that the delay would affect INEC, as certainty in the legal framework is necessary for the Commission to adequately plan for the elections, adding that some reforms require adequate funding, timing, and planning.

 

“I think it is essential that they conclude these reforms this year to facilitate adequate preparations for the 2027 elections. I fear that the National Assembly’s timeline, which is June or July to conclude this process, may not be met for many reasons,” he said.

 

He stressed that INEC requires sufficient time to plan, and if the rules are not specific, it would create ambiguity and confusion, making the electoral process susceptible to manipulation and capture.

 

Itodo also warned that some of the proposed reforms would require appropriations, along with proper timing and planning. For example, diaspora voting, early voting, and prisoner voting all have significant logistical implications.

 

“It is important that these processes are concluded well ahead of time so that INEC can test some of these innovations in the Anambra election later this year and next year’s governorship elections and bye-elections,” Itodo concluded.

 

Similarly, Armsfree Ajanaku, the Executive Director of the Grassroots Centre for Rights and Civic Orientation, urged for the swift treatment of electoral reform to ensure that INEC’s planning process does not become chaotic, especially as it focuses on bye-elections, off-cycle elections, and the 2027 general elections.

 

He backed the amendments, particularly the one relating to PVCs, which had been a major obstacle to participation due to logistical issues in card distribution, stating that removing this burden would encourage participation, especially among historically marginalised groups.

 

“On the other hand, time is of the essence. The Commission must plan for the 2027 general elections. While the political class has been focused on defections, they owe Nigerians the duty of ensuring the electoral process is cleaned up so that Nigerians’ votes truly count,” Ajanaku said.

 

Similarly, Suleiman Gimba, Senior Programme Officer at the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), stated that timely reform of the Electoral Act is crucial to safeguarding the credibility of Nigeria’s elections and upholding democratic principles.

 

“We must not forget that during President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, he repeatedly declined assent to amendments of the Electoral Act, citing that they were ‘too close to the elections’ and could disrupt the process,” Gimba said.

 

He argued that such reasoning had set a dangerous precedent, as politicians routinely stall reform efforts until the eve of elections, thereby preserving exploitable loopholes in the system.

 

“This pattern of deliberate delay is unethical, manipulative, and undermines Nigeria’s democratic progress,” he said.

 

Gimba emphasised that electoral reform should not be considered a partisan tool or political afterthought. Instead, it must be a routine, periodic process—a consistent legislative mechanism to address emerging electoral challenges, reflect citizens’ experiences, and strengthen public trust.

 

“Waiting until it’s too late sabotages the process and leaves INEC scrambling to implement new policies under pressure, increasing the risk of electoral failure,” he added.

 

Additionally, Splendour Agbonkpolor, Chairman of the Civil Society Organisations’ Budget Implementation, Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation Committee (CBIAMEC), stated that while the proposed reforms are crucial, they must focus on long-term institutional strengthening, transparency, and accountability.

 

“These reforms are vital to deepening democracy and rebuilding trust in our electoral process. But they must go beyond just paperwork,” he said. “We expect the National Assembly to move swiftly and decisively. Time is of the essence,” he stressed.

 

Agbonkpolor noted that the idea of diaspora voting is commendable but requires careful study due to challenges with electoral credibility in Nigeria. He added that strengthening INEC’s independence, addressing electoral weaknesses, and passing reforms such as early voting, diaspora voting, and PVC recognition are essential for credible 2027 elections.

 

We’ll Prioritise Electoral Reforms – Speaker Abbas

 

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has assured that the Green Chamber would accelerate action on legislation that affects the well-being of Nigerians, especially the much-anticipated electoral reform.

 

Addressing members of the House who returned from Sallah and Easter recess on Tuesday, the Speaker stated that security, economic, educational, electoral, and health issues would be prioritised going forward.

 

Abbas said: “We must now move decisively to expedite the consideration and passage of critical bills that directly impact Nigerians’ stability, prosperity, and well-being. Key among these is the much-anticipated electoral reform bill, which is fundamental to strengthening our democratic processes,” he stated.

 

We’re On Course With Electoral Reforms – Reps

 

Similarly, the House Deputy Spokesman Philip Agbese (APC, Benue) said the House was diligently reviewing various bills, including proposals related to electoral reforms.

 

However, he told Leadership that while the 2027 election timeline is crucial, the primary focus of these reforms is to address broader governance issues and enhance the electoral process for long-term benefits.

 

Reps Reject Bill on Rotational Presidency

 

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has rejected a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide for the rotation of the offices of president and vice president among the country’s six geopolitical zones.

 

The bill was among the seven constitutional amendment bills listed for second reading on the House Order Paper on Tuesday.

 

After the House Leader read the titles of the seven constitutional amendment bills to the House, the Deputy Speaker, who presided over the plenary, opened the floor for lawmakers to contribute to the bills.

 

Contributing, Rep. Aliyu Madaki (NNPP, Kano) opposed the bill, stating that the constitution had already adequately addressed the issue the bill sought to address under the principle of federal character.

 

Madaki argued that the issue of zoning the presidency should be left to individual political parties to decide, saying there was no need to enshrine such a provision in the constitution.

 

However, Rep. Ali Isah (PDP, Gombe) disagreed with Madaki’s position, arguing that enshrining a rotational presidency in the constitution would ensure fairness and foster a sense of belonging for all of the country’s geopolitical zones.

 

While opposing the bill, Rep. Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) argued that the proposed legislation “is very injurious to the unity of the country.”

 

He added that enshrining the principle of rotational presidency in the constitution would lead to the enthronement of mediocrity over competence, saying: “It could elevate regional and ethnic interests over competency, limit the pool of people who can vie for office, and fuel regional rivalry, which negates the spirit of unity.”

 

In response, Rep. Kalu dismissed Soli’s concerns about mediocrity, stating that every geopolitical zone has competent individuals who can occupy top political offices. He said the essence of the bill was to ensure that every part of the country had the opportunity to contribute to governance and development.

 

Rep. Shina Oyedeji, in his contribution, opposed the bill, noting that the essence of democracy is healthy competition and that including clauses on zoning and regional sentiments contradicted democratic principles.

 

Rep. Bello El-Rufai (APC, Kaduna), also opposing the bill, warned that enshrining the principle of rotational presidency in the constitution would lead to regional and ethnic rivalries, given the country’s many ethnicities.

 

After heated debates on the bill, the Deputy Speaker put it to a voice vote, and most lawmakers opposed it with a “nay” vote.