European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has commended Nigeria for making significant progress in implementing electoral reforms, even as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) warned that delays in legal and constitutional changes could unsettle preparations for the 2027 General Elections.
The Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission, Barry Andrews, gave the commendation yesterday, during a meeting with the leadership of INEC in Abuja.
Andrews, who described the progress made since the 2023 polls as very significant, noted some improvements in administrative processes and transparency in election management.
He, however, stressed the importance of continued reforms in judicial, administrative, and constitutional areas to ensure credible and transparent elections in 2027.
He said the EU mission, one of the largest ever deployed to monitor Nigeria’s elections, had been in the country for three weeks and would remain for another week as part of its follow-up assessment.
Andrews said: “What we are here to do is to look at the recommendations that flowed from the overall mission, that 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.
“We recognise that there are certain time constraints, both in terms of judicial reform as well as administrative reform and, of course, constitutional reform, which is somewhat more difficult, but we are making all of these recommendations against international standards that the EU, Nigeria, and most countries have signed up to.”
Responding, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, welcomed the EU delegation and said the commission had acted on recommendations that fell within its administrative powers while engaging other institutions on reforms requiring legislative intervention.
Yakubu noted that the commission’s own post-election review of 2023 produced 142 recommendations, which were being considered alongside inputs from international observers, political parties, civil society, and other stakeholders
“As you are aware, an election is a process governed by law. Many of your recommendations require the review of our electoral laws. For this reason, the Commission has interfaced with our National Assembly, including a retreat with the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters (comprising the Senate and House of Representatives).”
“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 the election draws nearer,” Yakubu stated.
