Election Upheaval: INEC's Proposed Amendments for 2027
Political Body Seeks to End Direct Appointment of Election Commissioners by Presidential Candidates, Including Tinubu
Get ready for some major disruptions in Nigeria's electoral landscape as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is gearing up for some groundbreaking changes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Take a seat, because things are about to get interesting!
Say goodbye to the Prez's REC power
The President will no longer be the big boss when it comes toAppointingResident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). INEC is hot on the heels of constitutional changes, aiming to snatch the reins of authority away from the President and hand them over to the Commission itself. The Commission would then have the might to freelyAppoint and discipline heads of its state offices, which will now be known asState Directors of Elections.
These proposals were dropped during a throwdown with the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Electoral Matters, giving us a sneak peek of what's to come.
Aligning Electoral Act with the New Arrangement
To ensure everything's copacetic, INEC also proposes amending Section 6 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022 to line up with this fab new structure.
Current State of Play
As it stands now, the Prez calls the shots when it comes to appointing RECs under Section 154 (1) of the Constitution. The big cheeses are subject to Senate confirmation, and removal can only happen if the Prez pulls a Hail Mary with the help of a 2/3 Senate majority.
Game Changer: State Directors of Elections
With the heads of INEC offices at state level now proposed to be State Directors of Elections, these jefe's will report directly to the Commission instead of kowtowing to political interests, paving the way for greater transparency and accountability in electoral administration.
From PVCs to E-voter Cards
INEC is envisioning a switch from the traditional Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to Electronically Downloadable Voter Cards, aimed at modernizing voter identification and slimming down some pretty hefty logistical challenges.
Expanding the Voting Pool
On the Proposal Table:
- Early Voting:Crafting amendments to Sections 77 (2), 117 (1), 132 (5), and 178 (5) of the Constitution, with the intent to introduce early voting for election officials and essential workers, as well as granting special voting rights to Nigerians locked up in the slammer.
- Diaspora Voting:Giving Nigerians in the diaspora the chance to cast their vote from overseas via the revision of Sections 77 (2) and other relevant sections.
Stamping out Crookedness
Putting the brakes on electoral malpractices, INEC wants to create:
- An Electoral Offences Commission: A special squad ready to tackle all manner of electoral shenanigans.
- A Political Party Regulatory Agency: A watchdog on the hill, overseeing party activities and ensuring they're stickin' to the rules.
Leveling the Playing Field for the Underrepresented
A special shout-out to women and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)! INEC is proposing designated seats for these groups by amending Sections 48, 49, 71, and 91 of the Constitution, creating specialized constituencies to boost their representation in politics.
"To achieve greater participation of under-represented groups, the key is affirmative action backed by the law," the document pronounces.
Cleanin' Up the Electoral Act 2022
INEC wants to iron out the kinks in the Electoral Act 2022, sorting out ambiguities, cross-referencing goofs, and creating clarity where there was none. For example, they'll be addressing the vagueness surrounding "transfer" and "direct transmission" of results, harmonizing Section 64 (4a & 5) and Section 47 (2), and wranglin' those inconsistencies in Sections 29 (1), 75 (3 & 4), 77 (3), 131 (5 & 6), and 132 (5-10).
Specifying the Grounds for Result Reviews
Lastly, INEC proposes amending Section 65 (1) to clearly define that election results can only be reviewed if declared under duress.
Stay tuned for more updates on INEC's proposed amendments as the 2027 elections approach!
- The proposed changes by INEC promise to shift the power dynamics in Nigeria, as the Commission aims to take control of appointing Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) rather than the President.
- With this shift, State Directors of Elections will report directly to INEC, thereby reducing political influence and increasing transparency in electoral administration.
- The Electoral Act 2022 is set for refinement, with the intention to clarify ambiguities, correct cross-referencing errors, and establish clear guidelines for various electoral processes.
- The Senate and EFCC in Nigeria are anticipated to play important roles in overseeing the proposed amendments, particularly in relation to policy-and-legislation, politics, and general news.
- As the General Elections in 2027 approach, INEC is planning to modernize voter identification methods by transitioning from Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to Electronically Downloadable Voter Cards.
- The Commission is proposing expansions to the voting pool, including Early Voting for election officials, essential workers, and prisoners, as well as Diaspora Voting for Nigerians living abroad.
- To ensure fair representation for historically underrepresented groups, INEC proposes establishing specialized constituencies for women and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) through amendments to the Constitution, seizing the positive opportunity presented by policy-and-legislation and moving towards a more inclusive Nigeria.
