NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CALLS FOR URGENT REFORM OF THE NATION’S ELECTORAL SYSTEM 14-02-25
By Sadiq Aminu The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral matters has called for urgent reforms in the nation’s Electoral system.
The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Adebayo Balogun, made the call in Abuja during a consultative meeting with election petition lawyers organized by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in partnership with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, PLAC, and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office FCDO.
Mr. Balogun stressed the need for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s electoral legal framework, citing gaps and inconsistencies revealed during the 2023 general elections.
He underscored the importance of collaboration between lawmakers, legal practitioners, and other stakeholders in ensuring a more transparent and effective electoral process.
He said there is need for continuous search for a globally acceptable Electoral Act that will stem electoral malpractices and improve confidence in the country’s electoral process
He stressed the crucial role of election litigation lawyers in interpreting and testing the law, stating that their courtroom experiences provide invaluable insights into areas that need strengthening, clarification, or amendment.
The House Committee Chairman assured attendees that the insights shared at the meeting would be instrumental in shaping amendments to the Electoral Act.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, emphasized the urgent need to amend Nigeria’s electoral laws to address persistent legal challenges and restore public confidence in the electoral process.
He underscored the crucial role of legal practitioners in shaping a more effective electoral legal framework.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, also lamented the challenges of Nigeria’s electoral legal framework, particularly the role of the judiciary in electoral disputes.
Mr. Osigwe noted that though the Electoral Act 2022 was initially hailed as one of the most progressive pieces of electoral legislation, subsequent judicial interpretations had significantly distorted its intended impact.
The Executive Director, PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, commended the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Electoral Matters for its commitment to electoral reform.
He acknowledged that members of the committee had played a crucial role in the passage of the Electoral Act 2022 and expressed satisfaction that they remained committed to refining the law further.