The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is urgently working to eliminate obstacles that have historically undermined credible, free, and fair elections in Nigeria before the upcoming 2027 General Elections.
One significant reform proposal involves amending Nigeria’s Electoral Framework to remove the President’s authority to appoint the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). Instead, INEC seeks to assume this power, with the RECs being rebranded as State Directors of Elections.
Prof. Mohammad Kuna, the Special Adviser to INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made these remarks during a presentation at a retreat with the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Electoral Matters in Lagos. He stated that the proposed change would instead give INEC the power to make these appointments, saying, “The proposal is essential to promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the electoral process.” Currently, the REC oversees the INEC office at the state level, managing various electoral activities, including Presidential, National Assembly, Gubernatorial, and House of Assembly elections.
Kuna elaborated on the responsibilities of the REC, noting, “The REC, who is assisted by relevant government agencies, undertakes the Presidential, National Assembly, Gubernatorial, and House of Assembly elections in a state and acts pursuant to powers delegated to him or her by INEC’s Chairman and 12 commissioners.” He also pointed out that among the duties of the REC is to make available all the materials required to conduct an election and to monitor the activities of all ad hoc staff, as well as providing for the proper verification of election results.
Currently, the appointment of RECs falls under the President’s remit, as outlined in Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, which states: “There is established in each State of the Federation, Federal Capital Territory and Local Government Area, an office of the Commission which shall perform such functions as may be assigned to it by the Commission.” Furthermore, Section 6 (1) of the Electoral Act reads: “A person appointed to the office of a Resident Electoral Commissioner shall (a) be answerable to the Commission; and (b) hold office for a term of five years from the date of his or her appointment which may be renewable for another term of five years and no more.” Additionally, Section 3 states, “The Resident Electoral Commissioner appointed under the Constitution may only be removed by the President, acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that the Resident Electoral Commissioner be so removed for inability to perform the functions of the office, whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause, or for misconduct.”
In addition to the changes regarding RECs, INEC is advocating for electronically downloadable voters’ cards to replace Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). The Commission is also proposing amendments to various sections of the 1999 Constitution to facilitate early, special, out-of-country, diaspora, and inmate voting, thereby broadening electoral access. Kuna explained, “The proposal will allow the country to introduce Early/Special Voting to cater for eligible voters on essential services, election personnel, as well as, voters under incarceration, those in the diaspora, and out-of-country voting for eligible Nigerians outside the country during elections.”
Moreover, INEC is pushing for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission and a Political Party Regulatory Agency through amendments to several sections of the Constitution, as well as provisions to ensure representation for women and people with disabilities.
These proposals represent a significant shift in Nigeria’s electoral landscape, aimed at enhancing the integrity and inclusiveness of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 elections.