The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is seeking to remove the President’s power to appoint Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) — a move that could radically reshape Nigeria’s electoral landscape.
This is seen as a bold push for electoral independence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At a high-stakes retreat in Lagos with the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, INEC proposed sweeping amendments to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.
Central to its demands is the transfer of the power to appoint and discipline Heads of State and FCT Electoral Offices from the President to the Commission itself.
According to Professor Mohammad Kuna, Special Adviser to the INEC Chairman, the reforms aim to promote transparency and safeguard the integrity of future elections.
INEC is proposing that instead of RECs, new officials titled State Directors of Elections (SDEs) will oversee polls at the state level — appointed solely by INEC.
“These reforms are not just desirable — they are essential,” Kuna stressed, adding that the proposed change would remove political interference and enhance public confidence in the electoral process.
INEC is also advocating for downloadable electronic voter cards to replace the current Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), as well as legal backing for Special, Diaspora, Out-of-Country, and Inmates voting.
In a nod to inclusivity, the Commission is urging constitutional amendments to create special seats for women and persons with disabilities.
It also called for the creation of two new bodies: the Electoral Offences Commission and the Political Party Regulatory Agency to strengthen election regulation and accountability.
The push to discipline errant electoral officials also featured prominently, with reference to the controversial actions of the former Adamawa REC in the 2023 polls.
With the clock ticking toward 2027, INEC is racing to secure legal backing for these far-reaching reforms — reforms that could redefine the credibility and independence of Nigeria’s electoral system.
