The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the National Assembly to urgently review Nigeria’s electoral laws to enable the Commission to deliver free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja while hosting the European Union Follow-up Mission delegation, led by Barry Andrews, a member of the European Parliament.

Yakubu stressed that elections are processes governed strictly by law, noting that uncertainties in the current legal framework could hinder INEC’s operations.

“We appeal to the National Assembly for an expeditious consideration of the electoral reform proposal. An early passage of law is critical to our planning for the elections. Uncertainty over the legal framework for the election can unsettle the work of the Commission as election draws nearer,” the INEC Chairman said.

He disclosed that INEC has already engaged the National Assembly, including holding a retreat with the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters of both chambers, to push for the necessary reforms.

Yakubu commended the EU for its continued engagement in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process and reaffirmed INEC’s readiness to work with international partners ahead of 2027. He further revealed that invitations would soon be extended to the EU, the Commonwealth, the African Union, and ECOWAS to observe the forthcoming general elections.

In his remarks, the Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission, Barry Andrews, commended INEC’s commitment to implementing recommendations from the EU’s 2023 election report.

“What we are here to do is to look at the recommendations that flowed from the overall mission, which were contained in the final report of the mission back in 2023, and we are very happy to see that there has been very significant progress against these recommendations,” Andrews said.

He noted that while there has been notable progress, some areas — particularly judicial, constitutional, and administrative reforms — require legislative action. He assured that the EU remains committed to supporting Nigeria in strengthening its democracy.