Our Reporter, Abuja
The Electoral Reform Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has submitted a set of far-reaching proposals to the House of Representatives, seeking critical amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Led by its Chairman, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, the NBA delegation presented a comprehensive memorandum to the House Committee on Electoral Matters in Abuja on Thursday. The lawmakers, led by Hon. Balogun, received the delegation, along with clerks of both the House and the Senate. Although the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters was absent, the NBA is expected to meet with him at a rescheduled session.
The NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, was unable to attend due to “official engagements.”
The memorandum outlines ten critical areas of reform, aimed at enhancing electoral credibility, transparency, and legal clarity. Some of the major recommendations include: “Amendment to Section 29(5) to limit legal action to aspirants within the same political party. The 14-day window for filing such matters under Section 29(8) should remain; “Recommendation to revise Section 33, restricting candidate substitution to cases of death or voluntary withdrawal supported by sworn affidavits;
“Proposals to amend Section 84, giving INEC more oversight of party primaries, enforcing early submission of delegate lists, and sanctioning defaulting parties; “Calls to amend Sections 47 and 60 to make the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) mandatory for accreditation, enforce electronic transmission of results to the IReV portal, and penalize INEC officers who breach these protocols;
“Clarification of Section 137 to accept certified electoral documents, including BVAS logs and IReV screenshots, as sufficient evidence in election petitions, thereby reducing dependence on oral testimony;
“Recommendation for the establishment of an independent body empowered to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes, including vote-buying, violence, and misconduct by electoral officials;
“Proposal to allow early voting for INEC personnel, accredited journalists, observers, and security agents, to ensure their neutrality and effectiveness on election day;
“Suggestion to legally recognize INEC’s guidelines and regulations under the Act to ensure uniform enforcement across the country;
“Advocacy for conducting all elections on the same day nationwide to reduce cost and enhance electoral integrity;
“Making INEC timetables binding;
“Clarifying jurisdiction in electoral matters to curb forum shopping;
“Harmonizing resignation timelines for public office holders contesting elections; and “Piloting diaspora voting during presidential elections at Nigerian foreign missions.”
In his remarks, Dr. Ubani reiterated the NBA’s firm commitment to democratic consolidation 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 stated.
Mr. Sam Itodo, Alternate Chairman of the NBA Committee, emphasized that the proposals reflect international best practices and would strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework.
Ikengaonline reports that the initial feedback from lawmakers indicated that many of the NBA’s proposals align with the legislature’s ongoing review of the Electoral Act. The NBA Electoral Reform Committee also pledged continued engagement with the National Assembly to ensure successful enactment of the recommended amendments.
