In a major push to overhaul Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Electoral Reform Committee has submitted a comprehensive memorandum to the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, advocating robust amendments to the Electoral Act 2022.
Led by Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, the delegation was received by the Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Balogun, alongside senior legislative staff, including the Clerks of both the House and the Senate. While the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters was unavoidably absent, a rescheduled session is expected for his formal engagement with the NBA team.
The NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, was also unable to attend due to prior official commitments.
Key Recommendations Presented by the NBA Electoral Reform Committee:
The NBA reform memorandum outlined ten key proposals aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system:
- Legal Standing in Pre-Election Matters
The NBA proposes amending Section 29(5) to restrict the right of legal challenge in pre-election matters to only aspirants within the same political party, while maintaining the 14-day filing window under Section 29(8) to ensure swift judicial resolution. - Candidate Substitution
Amendment of Section 33 to allow substitution only in cases of death or voluntary withdrawal, duly backed by affidavit and official documentation. - Internal Party Democracy
Strengthening Section 84 to give INEC stronger oversight over primaries, mandate the early publication of delegate lists, and sanction political parties that violate these procedures. - Technology and Electoral Integrity
Proposed amendments to Sections 47 and 60 seek to:- Make BVAS compulsory for voter accreditation;
- Make BVAS data legally binding;
- Legally recognize electronic transmission of results to the IReV portal;
- Penalize INEC officers who fail to transmit results electronically.
- Documentary Evidence in Election Petitions
Clarify Section 137 to accept certified documents such as BVAS logs, IReV screenshots, and EC8A forms as sufficient evidence of irregularities, thereby reducing overreliance on oral testimony. - Establishment of Electoral Offences Commission
The NBA calls for the creation of an independent commission with full prosecutorial powers to tackle vote-buying, violence, result tampering, and INEC staff misconduct. - Early Voting for Election Officials
Recommend early voting for INEC officials, security personnel, journalists, and accredited observers to enhance efficiency and neutrality on election day. - Legal Status of INEC Guidelines
Urge that INEC’s guidelines and regulations issued under the Act be granted statutory force to ensure consistent compliance. - Harmonization of Election Dates
Suggest holding all elections nationwide on the same day to reduce cost, prevent manipulation, and enhance credibility. - Additional Proposals
- Making INEC timetables binding;
- Providing jurisdictional clarity to eliminate forum shopping in election cases;
- Harmonizing the resignation timeline for public office holders seeking elective office;
- Pilot diaspora voting for Nigerians at foreign missions during presidential elections.
NBA Reaffirms Commitment to Electoral Integrity
Speaking during the presentation, Dr. M.O. Ubani, SAN reaffirmed the Association’s unwavering resolve to foster credible elections in Nigeria. “We are optimistic that these amendments, if adopted, will pave the way for a more transparent and inclusive electoral process in 2027 and beyond,” he said.
Mr. Sam Itodo, Alternate Chairman of the Committee, also addressed the lawmakers, noting that the NBA’s recommendations are aligned with global best practices in electoral reforms.
Encouragingly, initial responses from the lawmakers indicate that several of the NBA’s recommendations are already being considered in the ongoing legislative review.
The NBA Electoral Reform Committee emphasized its continued engagement with the National Assembly to ensure the adoption and passage of these critical reforms.
Signed:
Dr. M.O. Ubani, SAN
Chairman, NBA Electoral Reform Committee
Mr. Sam Itodo
Alternate Chairman, NBA Electoral Reform Committee
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