We’ll use 2022 Electoral Act If Amendment Delays Continue – INEC

Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said the commission may be forced to rely on existing electoral laws if the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act is delayed further.

Amupitan made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during INEC’s quarterly consultative meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

He stressed that an early amendment of the Electoral Act is crucial to INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, including the release of the official timetable and schedule of activities.

According to him, INEC has already completed the draft timetable for the 2027 polls but is waiting for the National Assembly to conclude work on the proposed amendments before making it public.

He cited Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which empowers INEC to issue a notice of election not later than 360 days before the election date.

While noting that INEC has submitted its recommendations to the National Assembly, Amupitan assured political parties and Nigerians that the 2027 election timetable would be released in full compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.

He also appealed to CSOs to support INEC in urging the National Assembly to speed up the amendment process.

“We have hesitated a little bit because we have the timetable already, but there are some proposed amendments that will affect the timetable. But, if the process is delayed any further, we may have to go to the extant laws,” he said.

On the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, the INEC chairman disclosed that the commission would conduct a mock accreditation exercise on February 7 in 289 selected polling units across the six area councils.

He added that 83 domestic and five foreign observers have been accredited for the elections, which will involve 1,680,315 registered voters across 2,822 polling units.

Amupitan further revealed that a total of 570 candidates will contest for chairmanship, vice-chairmanship, and councillorship positions across 68 constituencies in the FCT.

He urged CSOs to help mobilise residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), noting that the ongoing distribution exercise will end on February 10.