Stakeholders in the electoral process have called on the government to unbundle the Independent National Electoral Commission with the aim of making it more effective ahead of the 2027 general election.
The call was made in a communique issued at the end of the National Multi-Stakeholders Forum on Electoral Reform Priorities, under the auspices of Youth Electoral Reform Priorities.
They also urged the National Assembly to ensure the completion of the amendment of the Electoral Act and the review of the Constitution, at least two years before the general election.
They opine that such a move would enable all stakeholders and citizens of the country to fully understand the changes made to the laws for effective implementation and compliance, according to the Daily Post.
The stakeholders asserted that the processes leading to the 2023 general elections fell below expectations.
“INEC should be unbundled by creating the National Electoral Offenses Commission, which will have the power to prosecute electoral offenders.
“We urge the Federal Government to create a special election committee with non-partisan people of impeccable character to take over the power of the President in appointing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
“This committee will also be responsible for appointing INEC National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners,” they said.
The event was attended by a wide range of organizations, including the Youth Electoral Reform Project; National Association of Nigerian Students; Nigerian Youths Parliament; representatives of political parties; Inter-Party Advisory Council, and the Conference of United Political Parties.
Others included the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nigerian Labour Congress, Nigerian Bar Association, Christian Association of Nigeria, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, and the Nigerian Medical Association.
