INEC Chairman Calls for Swift and Comprehensive Electoral Reforms Ahead of 2027 Elections
ABUJA, Nigeria – April 29, 2025
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has issued a strong call for urgent and far-reaching electoral reforms to be enacted before the 2027 general elections. Speaking at a high-level retreat with lawmakers and electoral stakeholders, Yakubu warned that delays in updating Nigeria’s electoral framework could undermine the credibility and logistics of the next national polls.
Major Reform Proposals and Rationale
Prof. Yakubu outlined a comprehensive roadmap, drawing from a 524-page post-election review and 142 actionable recommendations developed through internal and external consultations. Key proposals include:
- Phasing Out PVCs and Introducing Diaspora Voting: INEC plans to gradually phase out Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), introducing computer-generated voter slips and downloadable credentials to reduce costs, curb theft, and address voter disenfranchisement. The commission also seeks to enable diaspora voting, allowing Nigerians abroad to participate in elections for the first time.
- Legal Clarity on Result Transmission: Yakubu emphasized the need for clear legal guidelines distinguishing manual and electronic result transmission, aiming to minimize post-election disputes and enhance public trust in outcomes.
- Electoral Offences Tribunal and Institutional Unbundling: INEC is advocating for the creation of an independent electoral offences tribunal and a separate agency for political party registration and regulation, allowing the commission to focus solely on election management.
- Voter Register Cleanup and Access: The commission plans to work with the National Identity Management Commission to clean the voters’ register and improve access to polling units, especially for marginalized groups and persons with disabilities.
- Early and Special Voting: Proposals include early voting for election personnel, security agents, and essential workers, aiming to reduce congestion and improve logistics on election day.
- Stronger Partnerships and Voter Education: INEC aims to enhance collaboration with transport unions for timely deployment of materials and intensify voter education to combat misinformation and fake news.
Implementation and Legislative Action
Of the 142 recommendations, 86 require direct administrative action by INEC, 48 need collaboration with security agencies and civil society, and 8 demand legislative amendments by the National Assembly78. Yakubu urged lawmakers to finalize these legal reforms before the end of 2025 to ensure a firm and certain framework well ahead of the 2027 elections.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Challenges
- PLAC and Civil Society: Advocacy groups like the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) warn that without timely reforms, Nigeria’s electoral process remains vulnerable to manipulation and logistical breakdowns.
- Lawmakers: Members of the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Electoral Matters pledged to expedite the review, but acknowledged the complexity of balancing political interests and technical requirements.
- INEC’s Internal Review: The commission’s recommendations are based on lessons from the 2023 general election, five off-cycle governorship polls, and nine bye-elections, making this the most comprehensive reform push since 2010.
Broader Implications
Yakubu stressed that the 2027 election will be “seriously contested” and that INEC will face immense pressure to deliver credible results. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of involving marginalized groups, addressing fake news, and ensuring that the legal framework is in place well before the next election cycle.
