President Bola Tinubu is indeed committed to electoral and democratic reforms ahead of the 2027 general election, according to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. The National Assembly is working to amend the Electoral Act of 2022 to improve credibility and transparency in future elections.
Key Reforms:
– Reserved Parliamentary Seats: Proposed reserved seats for women and persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) to increase representation and inclusivity.
– Single-Day National Election: Holding presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and state House of Assembly elections on the same day to reduce electoral costs by up to 40% and improve voter turnout.
– Constitutional Role for Traditional Rulers: Proposed constitutional recognition and financial autonomy for traditional rulers to enhance their effectiveness.
– Electoral Act Amendments: Amending the Electoral Act to address concerns raised by international observers after the 2023 elections and ensure compliance with international standards.
The National Assembly aims to fast-track these reforms and finalize them by December, allowing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sufficient time to implement the changes before the 2027 elections. The European Union has offered to support the National Assembly in advocacy and publicity efforts to build consensus around the reforms.
