Civil society organisations on Monday issued a two-week ultimatum to the National Assembly to conclude work on the amendment of the 2022 Electoral Act and transmit the bill to the President, warning that further delay could undermine preparations for the 2027 general election.
The groups said prolonged legislative uncertainty around the Electoral Act was already creating gaps that may affect election planning, institutional readiness, and public confidence ahead of the polls.
The CSOs, including Yiaga Africa, Centre for Media and Society, The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre, Elect Her, Nigerian Women Trust Fund and The Albino Foundation, made their position known at a press conference in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the organisations, the founder of The Albino Foundation, Dr Jake Epelle, said unresolved amendments to the Electoral Act had discouraged the Independent National Electoral Commission from releasing the timetable for the 2027 general election.
The organisations, therefore, called on INEC to issue the 2027 election timetable in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, insisting that the commission should not wait indefinitely for the amendment process to be concluded.
“This action would (1) fulfil statutory obligations and insulate the commission from legal challenges; (2) provide political parties, candidates and civil society with certainty necessary for systematic preparation; and (3) establish baseline timelines that subsequent amendments can modify through transitional provisions if necessary.
“Indefinite legislative resolution creates a vacuum that compounds administrative challenges and legal vulnerabilities.” The CSOs said
The CSOs urged the Senate to adopt the House of Representatives’ position mandating the electronic transmission of election results at its meeting tomorrow.
“We call on the conference committee members to approach the harmonisation deliberations guided by national interest, institutional integrity, and democratic accountability rather than narrow partisan calculations.
“We reiterate our recommendation that the National Assembly should expeditiously conclude the amendment process and transmit the final bill to the President within two weeks.
“As key stakeholders in the electoral process, we urge citizens and all stakeholders to demand accountable representation from their legislators in the National Assembly by pressuring them to prioritise the public interest and the integrity of the elections by passing the provisions on real-time electronic transmission of election results, curtailing the disenfranchisement of voters by introducing downloadable permanent voters cards (PVCs), and resisting any attempt to weaken established timelines that are crucial for conducting credible elections.”
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