INEC Chairman Promises Electoral Act Amendments Before 2027 Elections.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has assured that all necessary amendments to the Electoral Act will be completed before the 2027 elections. Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Yakubu also denied reports of his sacking, affirming that he remains the Chief Electoral Officer for the country.
Yakubu revealed that INEC has reviewed the 2023 general elections and identified 142 recommendations, including eight that require electoral amendment. The commission has been working with relevant stakeholders, including the National Assembly, to implement these reforms. A retreat was held in Lagos two weeks ago with the joint committee on electoral reform, and the National Assembly is set to organize a public hearing before submitting a new bill to the President for assent.
The INEC Chairman also announced that the commission now has a full complement of commissioners, following the inauguration of two new National Commissioners, Tukur Abdulrazaq Yusuf and Professor Sunday Nwambam Aja. The swearing-in ceremony was performed by President Bola Tinubu at the State House.
The electoral reforms are crucial in ensuring the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s electoral process. The amendments to the Electoral Act will help to address the challenges and controversies that have plagued past elections, and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and credible.
Professor Yakubu’s assurance that the electoral reforms will be completed before the 2027 elections is a welcome development. The INEC Chairman’s commitment to ensuring the credibility and transparency of the electoral process is evident in the commission’s efforts to review past elections and implement necessary reforms.
With a full complement of commissioners, INEC is well-positioned to deliver on its mandate and ensure that future elections are conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner.