The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has considered all eight recommendations specifically addressed to it by the European Union’s EU Election Observation Mission, and taken action on some of them.
The Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, stated this when the European Union EU Election Observation Follow-up Mission to Nigeria visited him in Abuja.
Professor Yakubu stated that in their recommendations report, action had been taken on aspects that only require administrative action to implement, and that action is being taken on cross-cutting recommendations that require collective action between INEC and other bodies and stakeholders, while waiting for the conclusion of the ongoing legal review by the National Assembly on the recommendations that require legislative intervention.
” I must also add that your recommendations, along with similar reports from other national and international election observers, were the subject of wide-ranging consultations with critical institutions and stakeholders during our own review of the 2023 General Election. The review report contains 142 recommendations,”he noted.
The INEC Chairman explained that an election is a process governed by law, adding that many of their recommendations require the review of the electoral laws.
“For this reason, the Commission had interfaced with our National Assembly, including a retreat with the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters (Senate and House of Representatives).
“We appeal to the National Assembly for an expeditious consideration of the electoral reform proposal. An early passage of law is critical to our planning for the elections,” the Chairman remarked.
Professor Yakubu stated that the Commission looks forward to the next EU Observer Mission for the 2027 General Election, as international Election Observation Missions are deployed on the invitation of the Commission.
He reassured them that they would continue to engage with the EU Election Observation Mission as the country engages in electoral processes geared towards improving the quality of elections and electoral activities.
“Very soon, the Commission will send out invitations to the EU as well as the Commonwealth, the African Union, and ECOWAS for the 2027 General Election.
“We believe that the recommendations arising from your observation of our election and electoral process help to improve the quality of our elections and electoral activities.
Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Barry Andrews, commended the initiatives put in place by INEC towards improving Nigeria’s electoral processes.
He assured INEC of the commitment of the EU Election Observation Mission in supporting the Commission to improve the country’s democracy and strengthen the electoral processes.
