Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called for urgent electoral reforms in Nigeria. Speaking at the opening of a crucial two-day retreat between INEC and members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, Yakubu said continuous innovation is vital to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
The retreat, currently underway, has brought together key electoral stakeholders, lawmakers, and development partners, creating what Yakubu described as a “unique opportunity” to directly address challenges and chart a path toward a more credible electoral process. Reflecting on the outcomes of a similar retreat in March 2020, Yakubu noted that it was this collaboration that birthed the landmark Electoral Act 2022. That legislation ushered in significant changes, including stronger support for technological innovations, improved judicial compliance, and the formal incorporation of observer recommendations into Nigeria’s election laws.
Highlighting the gains from past reforms, Yakubu pointed to major milestones achieved under the new electoral framework. One of the most notable was the extension of the election timeline from 60 to 180 days after party primaries, a move that eradicated chronic logistical delays and allowed the 2023 general elections to proceed without postponement—the first uninterrupted elections since 2010. He also celebrated the local production of sensitive election materials within Nigeria, marking a historic departure from decades of foreign printing, a feat applauded by the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria.
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Despite these achievements, Yakubu warned that serious gaps remain and called on lawmakers to act swiftly. He emphasized the need for stronger legislative backing for technological innovations such as electronic voting and result transmission systems. He also urged reforms to clarify ambiguities in the law, reduce the volume of pre-election and post-election litigation, and adopt critical recommendations from previous electoral reform committees, including those chaired by Justice Mohammed Uwais (2009), Sheikh Lemu (2011), and Senator Ken Nnamani (2017).
The INEC boss praised the retreat as offering deeper engagement than traditional committee hearings, providing lawmakers with real-world insights into the day-to-day challenges of election management. He further acknowledged the indispensable support of Nigeria’s development partners in pushing for higher standards of electoral integrity.
As discussions continue, INEC is set to share detailed field experiences with lawmakers to inform targeted amendments to both the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act. Professor Yakubu reaffirmed that the Commission’s ultimate goal is to fortify Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of future elections, ensuring that every vote truly counts and that the will of the people prevails.
