By Gloria Ikibah
The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Rep. Adebayo Balogun, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s electoral laws.
Speaking at a consultative meeting with election petition lawyers, and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was organised 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), the Committee Chairman highlighted issues from the 2023 elections that needed legislative attention.
Balogun stressed the importance of collaboration among lawmakers, legal experts, and stakeholders to improve election transparency and fairness.
He further acknowledged that the Electoral Act 2022 introduced key reforms like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal but noted that gaps remain.
One major issue raised was the inconsistency in court rulings on election matters. Balogun called for clearer judicial guidelines and faster resolution of election cases to ensure disputes do not extend beyond swearing-in dates. He also advocated for stricter penalties for electoral offences to deter malpractice.
Chairman Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, restated these concerns, and eemphasised the need for legal reforms to strengthen public confidence in elections.
The President Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, also criticised conflicting court decisions and procedural obstacles that delay justice.
Osigwe who warned that an overburdened judicial system focused on election cases could hurt Nigeria’s legal and economic environment, urged lawmakers to involve judges in the reform process to ensure clearer electoral jurisprudence.
Executive Director PLAC, Clement Nwankwo commended the commitment of the National Assembly to electoral reform and encouraged collaboration between the Senate and House committees.
Representative of the President of the Senate, Senator Abdullahi Yahaya, assured stakeholders that their recommendations would be taken seriously.
The meeting reinforced the need for legislative amendments to enhance Nigeria’s electoral system and prevent future disputes.