The National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have emphasised the need for an ongoing review of Nigeria’s electoral laws to ensure improved election outcomes.
This position was articulated by INEC officials and members of the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters at a retreat in Lagos focused on addressing the challenges in Nigeria’s electoral legal framework.
The two-day retreat was organised with support from the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI).
Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Chairman of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters—represented by the Committee’s Vice Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, stated that more work remains to be done on refining Nigeria’s electoral laws.
He noted that the conduct of the 2023 general elections and subsequent litigations had reignited national discourse on the urgent need for reform.
“Such debate is essential to ensure that declared results genuinely reflect the will of the Nigerian people,” Alli said, adding that elections form the bedrock of democratic leadership.
“There are persistent calls for the reform of our electoral laws and processes—an essential pursuit for any nation practising democracy, especially one as complex as Nigeria.
“This retreat is both timely and necessary as we continue to evaluate, enhance, and refine our electoral process to safeguard its credibility and transparency.
“It is imperative that the Legislature and INEC collaborate to confront emerging challenges and restore public confidence in our electoral system,” he said.
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Addressing Irregularities
While commending INEC’s leadership for recent improvements in electoral conduct, Senator Alli stressed the need to tackle irregularities such as the misconduct of electoral officials and violations of electoral laws.
He explained that the retreat was intended to create a forum for idea exchange, identification of key challenges, and proposals for legislative or administrative reforms within the electoral system.
Strengthening the System
Committee Co-chairman, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, also underlined the importance of consistently upgrading the electoral system to align with the evolving realities of Nigeria’s democracy.
He assured that any future amendments to the Electoral Act would reflect the practical needs of election management.
Balogun also thanked the retreat’s partners—PLAC, DAI, SCDU, and the European Union, for their continued commitment to democratic development in Nigeria.
“As we engage in open dialogue, we must remain mindful of the responsibility placed on us to lay a solid foundation for free, fair, and credible elections,” he said.
INEC Advocates Legal Backing for Reforms
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, in his remarks, recalled that a similar retreat in 2020 led to the repeal and re-enactment of the Electoral Act 2010, resulting in the current Electoral Act 2022.
He welcomed the retreat as a platform for in-depth engagement and improved understanding of the challenges of election management, beyond what is possible in brief public hearings at the National Assembly.
“As we initiate another round of legal review, INEC will share insights from field experience and highlight the implications of proposed reforms for election administration.
“This retreat offers a unique opportunity to strengthen our electoral process, which fundamentally depends on a robust legal framework,” Yakubu said.
He urged the National Assembly to expedite electoral reform efforts to allow the Commission sufficient time for effective implementation ahead of future elections.
Stakeholders Support Legal Review
Executive Director of PLAC, Mr Clement Nwankwo, commended both INEC and the National Assembly for their commitment to reforming Nigeria’s electoral framework.
He noted that PLAC had been involved in electoral law reform in Nigeria over four electoral cycles spanning more than 15 years.
“We are pleased to see that Nigeria now has a sound electoral legal structure, and we hope INEC will continue to build on this foundation to deliver credible elections that meet public expectations.
“It is commendable that the National Assembly has committed itself to the repeal and re-enactment of the Electoral Act 2022,” Nwankwo added.
However, he warned that the primary challenge remains implementation, especially with the heightened expectations surrounding the 2027 general elections.
Dr Matthew Ayibakuro, Governance Adviser at the FCDO, also stressed the importance of building trust in the electoral system and fostering a more inclusive and credible democratic process in Nigeria.
“A firm commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy through transparent, credible, and well-managed elections is vital,” Ayibakuro concluded.
