Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
In preparation for the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled a comprehensive set of 142 recommendations to improve Nigeria’s electoral process. The reforms, contained in a 524-page post-election review report, draw lessons from the conduct of the 2023 general elections and reflect INEC’s commitment to delivering more credible and efficient elections.
Truth Live News gathered that out of the 142 recommendations, 86 fall within INEC’s administrative powers. These are reforms the Commission can implement directly without requiring legislative changes. They focus on improving voter management systems, strengthening public communication and voter education, refining electoral logistics and operations, and enhancing the recruitment and training of election personnel. Other key administrative areas include upgrading election technology, modernizing result management procedures, bolstering security frameworks for elections, and streamlining the handling of electoral offences.
An additional 48 recommendations involve collaboration with stakeholders outside INEC’s purview. These include partnerships with security agencies, mobile network operators, statutory bodies, political parties, civil society groups, media organisations, and transport unions. The goal is to create a more integrated and cooperative environment that supports the smooth conduct of elections and addresses external vulnerabilities that affect election integrity.
Eight of the recommendations require constitutional or legal amendments by the National Assembly. These proposed legislative changes are seen as pivotal in addressing persistent legal ambiguities and operational limitations. Among the most significant is the call for clearer legal guidelines on the transmission of election results, especially regarding the integration of manual and electronic methods to ensure transparency and public trust.
INEC is also proposing new accreditation mechanisms that would allow voters to use computer-generated slips issued by the Commission or downloaded from its website. This would reduce dependence on Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and address the logistical and security challenges associated with PVC distribution.
A notable reform proposal is the inclusion of early or special voting provisions for INEC staff, security personnel, journalists, and others who are often deployed to duty posts outside their registered voting locations. This change aims to uphold their democratic right to vote without undermining electoral logistics.
INEC further seeks to enable diaspora voting for Nigerians living abroad. The Commission views this as a necessary step to foster inclusivity and align with global best practices in electoral administration.
One of the cornerstone legislative proposals is the creation of a dedicated Electoral Offences Tribunal. This specialized body would be responsible for prosecuting electoral offences, addressing the long-standing issue of impunity in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Additionally, INEC recommends the unbundling of its responsibilities, advocating for the establishment of an independent agency to oversee the registration and regulation of political parties. This would allow the Commission to focus more effectively on managing elections, free from the complex and often controversial task of party administration.
The electoral body plans to present these legislative proposals to the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Electoral Matters, emphasizing the urgency of implementing these reforms well ahead of the 2027 elections. With the clock ticking, INEC stresses that collaboration, political will, and timely action will be crucial to translating these recommendations into meaningful electoral progress.