Abuja, Nigeria – March 2, 2026 – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified its long-standing appeal for a comprehensive review and simplification of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), arguing that the current legislation remains too complex, technical, and difficult for the average Nigerian to understand. INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu (succeeded by Professor Joash Amupitan in recent leadership transition reports) made the renewed call during a citizens’ town hall meeting in Abuja organised by the Civil Society Network on Election Integrity and the Electoral Act Reform Coalition.
Speaking at the well-attended forum, which brought together civil society organisations, legal experts, media practitioners, youth groups, women leaders, and ordinary citizens, Professor Amupitan stressed that Nigeria urgently requires what he described as “simple legislation” written in clear, accessible language. “What Nigeria needs is actually what I call simple legislation, a simple language legislation, whereby it will be possible for every Nigerian to understand and appreciate the provisions of every section,” he stated.
The INEC chairman argued that the present complexity of the Electoral Act contributes significantly to post-election disputes, misinterpretations, and unnecessary litigation. He explained that many Nigerians—including voters, polling agents, party officials, observers, and even some election officials—find it difficult to fully grasp key provisions, particularly those governing result management, accreditation, voting procedures, and the transmission of results. “When people do not understand the law, they interpret it in different ways. That breeds confusion, suspicion, and ultimately disputes,” Amupitan noted.
The call for simplification comes against the backdrop of ongoing preparations for the 2027 general elections and recent controversies surrounding electronic transmission of results. Amupitan addressed head-on the persistent debate over real-time transmission, clarifying that INEC has never opposed the principle of electronic transmission but has consistently highlighted practical challenges.
“The problem is not the idea of electronic transmission itself, but the meaning of ‘real time’ and the state of network infrastructure across the country,” he explained. “When INEC came in, we thought that transmission should be mandated. But let us be sincere about this, the only problem we had is how to define what we call real time.”
To illustrate the point, the INEC chairman cited the recently concluded Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election as a practical example. While results from five area councils were uploaded and released promptly, results from one ward were delayed until the following day because election officials could not be reached due to poor network coverage in the area. “I don’t see the issue of transmission as a problem; the problem is the adequacy of the network we have,” he said. “Even in the Federal Capital Territory, network challenges made it impossible to transmit some results instantly.”
Amupitan stressed that these realities must be clearly reflected in any future amendment to the Electoral Act so that legal expectations align with on-the-ground conditions. He warned that mandating “real-time” transmission without accounting for Nigeria’s uneven telecommunications infrastructure could create unrealistic benchmarks, fuel mistrust when delays occur, and invite avoidable legal challenges.
The INEC chairman reiterated the commission’s belief that simplifying the law would significantly boost public trust, reduce post-election litigation, and enhance overall electoral integrity. “If the law is clear and understandable to the ordinary citizen, compliance becomes easier, disputes decrease, and confidence in the process increases,” he argued.
Professor Amupitan used the opportunity to urge the National Assembly to begin early consultations and legislative work on amending the Electoral Act well ahead of the 2027 election cycle. “We must not wait until preparations are far advanced before we address these issues. The time to start is now,” he said, noting that early amendment would allow INEC, political parties, civil society, and citizens sufficient time to understand and adapt to any new provisions.
The town hall meeting formed part of a broader civil society campaign to push for electoral reform before the next general elections. Representatives from the Civil Society Network on Election Integrity and the Electoral Act Reform Coalition commended INEC’s openness and echoed the call for simplification. They also advocated for stronger provisions on internal party democracy, campaign finance transparency, early result transmission safeguards, and greater inclusion of persons with disabilities and marginalized groups.
Several participants raised concerns about persistent issues such as vote-buying, intimidation of voters and officials, and delays in result collation. Others called for mandatory early voting for security personnel, clearer guidelines on the use of technology, and better protection for election observers.
INEC’s renewed push for a simpler Electoral Act aligns with recommendations from previous election review panels, including the Justice Muhammadu Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee (2008) and the Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba-led committee that reviewed the 2023 elections. Both panels had highlighted the need for clearer language and fewer ambiguities in the law.
Legal experts present at the town hall agreed that the current Act—while representing significant progress over earlier versions—contains overly technical provisions and cross-references that make it difficult for non-lawyers to navigate. They suggested that future amendments should adopt plain-language drafting principles already used in countries such as South Africa, Kenya, and Rwanda.
The National Assembly is expected to begin informal consultations on possible amendments in the coming months. However, any substantive changes will require a two-thirds majority in both chambers and concurrence by at least 24 state assemblies, as the Electoral Act is deemed to contain provisions that affect federal and state powers.
With less than 18 months remaining before the official commencement of the 2027 election cycle, stakeholders agree that time is of the essence. INEC has indicated it will continue engaging citizens, political parties, civil society, and the legislature to build consensus around a clearer, more accessible, and practical Electoral Act.
As Nigeria prepares for what is expected to be one of the most competitive and high-stakes elections in its democratic history, the commission’s call for simplification is seen as a critical step toward reducing legal uncertainties, enhancing public confidence, and ensuring that the will of the people is accurately reflected in election outcomes.
