The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured the European Union (EU) of its commitment to electoral reforms.
The Commission said it has already acted on some of the recommendations made after the 2023 general election.
It also explained that it is working with other stakeholders to address the remaining recommendations.
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INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the assurance on Thursday, during a meeting with the EU Election Observation Follow-up Mission to Nigeria in Abuja.
The mission was led by a member of the European Parliament, Mr. Barry Andrews, alongside the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gautier Mignot, and other experts.
Yakubu explained that the EU made 23 recommendations after the 2023 elections, of which 8 (34.8%) required direct action by the Commission.
“The Commission has carefully considered all the 8 recommendations specifically addressed to us in your report,” he said.
He further disclosed that action has already been taken on areas requiring administrative implementation, while INEC is collaborating with other institutions on cross-cutting issues.
“Similarly, action is being taken on cross-cutting recommendations that require collective action between INEC and other bodies while we await the conclusion of the ongoing legal review by the National Assembly,” he added.
According to him, electoral reforms remain urgent.“An early passage of law is critical to our planning for the elections,” Yakubu noted.
He added that “uncertainty over the legal framework can unsettle the work of the Commission as the election draws nearer.”
He assured that INEC will continue to engage international partners, adding: “We believe that the recommendations arising from your observation of our election and electoral process help to improve the quality of our elections.”
Yakubu also revealed that INEC will soon extend invitations to the EU, Commonwealth, African Union, and ECOWAS to observe the 2027 general election.
