The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will proceed with the existing Electoral Act if amendments to the law are delayed further, warning that prolonged legislative action could affect preparations for the 2027 general elections.
INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja during the commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with civil society organisations (CSOs). He said early amendment of the Electoral Act was critical to INEC’s planning, including the release of the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 polls.
Amupitan disclosed that although the commission had already concluded work on the election timetable, it was awaiting the outcome of the ongoing amendment process at the National Assembly before making it public.
Citing Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, he noted that INEC is empowered to issue a notice of election not later than 360 days before the date of the poll. He added that the commission had submitted its inputs on the proposed amendments and was mindful of public anticipation surrounding the timetable.
He assured political parties and Nigerians that the timetable for the 2027 general elections would be released in full compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act, but stressed that further delays could force the commission to rely on the current law.
The INEC chairman appealed to CSOs to support efforts to urge the National Assembly to expedite action on the amendment process.
On preparations for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections, Amupitan announced that a mock accreditation exercise would be conducted on February 7 in 289 polling units across the six area councils.
He disclosed that a total of 83 domestic and five foreign observers had been accredited for the polls, which will involve over 1.6 million registered voters across 2,822 polling units. According to him, 570 candidates will contest elections into 68 constituencies for chairmanship, vice-chairmanship and councillorship positions.
Amupitan also urged CSOs to help mobilise FCT residents to collect their permanent voter cards (PVCs), noting that the ongoing distribution would end on February 10.
