The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated profound concerns regarding the protracted delay in the National Assembly's review of the existing Electoral Act. This apprehension was articulated by the Commission's Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during a meeting on Thursday with the Head of the European Union Follow-up Mission, Mr. Barry Andrews, and his delegation.

Professor Yakubu underscored that the prevailing uncertainty surrounding the legal framework destined to govern the forthcoming general elections represents a significant impediment to INEC's operational planning and preparedness. He further informed the European Union team that a substantial number of their valuable recommendations, aimed at enhancing the electoral process in Nigeria, are contingent upon timely and effective legislative intervention by the National Assembly.

Emphasizing the foundational role of law in electoral processes, Professor Yakubu stated, "As you are aware, an election is a process governed by law. Many of your recommendations require the review of our electoral laws." He recounted INEC's proactive engagement with the National Assembly, including a dedicated retreat with the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters (comprising both Senate and House of Representatives members), to advocate for these necessary reforms.

In a direct appeal to the legislative body, the INEC Chairman urged, "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. Uncertainty over the legal framework for the election can unsettle the work of the Commission as election draws nearer." This highlights the critical timeline and the potential for disruption if reforms are not finalized promptly.

Commending the EU for its sustained engagement and commitment to promoting the integrity of Nigeria's electoral process, Professor Yakubu affirmed INEC's readiness to maintain and strengthen this collaborative relationship. He expressed anticipation for the next EU Election Observation Mission for the 2027 General Election, clarifying that international observation missions are deployed strictly upon the invitation of the Commission. "I want to reassure you that we will continue to engage with you," he stated, adding that INEC would soon extend invitations not only to the EU but also to the Commonwealth, the African Union, and ECOWAS for the 2027 polls. He firmly believes that the recommendations derived from their observation of elections and electoral processes are instrumental in refining the quality of Nigeria's electoral activities.

Responding to Professor Yakubu, Mr. Barry Andrews, who also serves as a member of the European Parliament and Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission, outlined his team's primary objective: to verify the implementation and response to the recommendations stemming from the EU's monitoring of the last general elections. Andrews noted that his team had been in the country for the past three weeks, assessing progress.

He lauded INEC's transparent and genuine commitment to incorporating recommendations that promise to add substantial value to Nigeria's electoral framework. Andrews acknowledged, "What we are here to do is to look at the recommendations that flowed from the overall mission, which were contained in the final report of the mission back in 2023, and we are very happy to see that there has been very significant progress against these recommendations." He also recognized inherent time constraints associated with judicial, administrative, and constitutional reforms, which often present complex challenges.

The EU team expressed keen interest in INEC's internal review of the 2023 elections and looked forward to receiving updates on the follow-up and implementation of recommendations since 2023. Specifically addressing legislative requirements, Andrews mentioned, "There are specific areas that require legislative action that I’ve referred to in my opening comments, and we would be delighted as a team to hear from you about what progress has been made and what concerns you have about obstacles in the future, and particularly around constitutional change, which is obviously a little bit more difficult."

The visiting European Union delegation included several key figures: Mr. Gautier Mignot, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS; Mr. Ralph-Michael Peters, an Election Expert and Team Lead; and Ms. Eirini-Maria Gounari, an Election Legal Expert, all contributing to the mission's comprehensive assessment.