NEWS RELEASE

NBA ELECTORAL REFORM COMMITTEE PRESENTS CRUCIAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE AMENDMENT OF THE ELECTORAL ACT 2022

Abuja, Nigeria — July 18, 2025

The Electoral Reform Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), led by its Chairman, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, has formally presented a comprehensive memorandum to the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, urging the National Assembly to effect far-reaching amendments to the Electoral Act 2022.

The delegation was received by the Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Balogun, alongside the Clerks of both the House and the Senate. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, who was unavoidably absent, is expected to receive the NBA team at a rescheduled meeting.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, who would have been part of the delegation, was unavoidably absent due to an official engagement.

Key Recommendations Presented by the NBA Electoral Reform Committee Include:
1. Legal Standing in Pre-Election Matters
Amendment of Section 29(5) to restrict the right of action to only aspirants within the same political party, and retention of the 14-day filing window under Section 29(😎 for timely resolution.

2. Candidate Substitution
Amendment of Section 33 to allow substitution only in cases of death or voluntary withdrawal, backed by affidavit and documentation.

3. Internal Party Democracy
Strengthening Section 84 to empower INEC with oversight on primaries, mandate early submission and publication of delegate lists, and sanction defaulting parties.

4. Technology and Electoral Integrity
Amendments to Sections 47 and 60 to:

• Make BVAS mandatory for voter accreditation;
• Make BVAS data binding as the official accreditation record;
• Legally recognize electronic transmission of results to IReV;
• Penalize INEC officers who fail to transmit results electronically.

5. Documentary Evidence in Petitions
Clarification of Section 137 to accept certified documents (e.g., BVAS logs, IReV screenshots, EC8A forms) as sufficient proof of irregularities, minimizing the need for oral testimony.

6. Electoral Offences Commission
Establishment of an independent Commission with prosecutorial powers to address vote-buying, violence, result manipulation, and misconduct by electoral officers.

7. Early Voting for Election Officials
Introduction of early voting for INEC officials, accredited security personnel, journalists, and observers to improve neutrality and efficiency on election day.

8. Legal Status of INEC Guidelines
Grant statutory force to INEC’s guidelines and regulations issued under the Act to enhance compliance and uniformity.

9. Harmonization of Election Dates
Recommendation for all elections to be conducted on the same day nationwide to reduce cost and enhance integrity.

10. Other Recommendations
Binding INEC Timetables to promote certainty and accountability;

Jurisdictional clarity in election-related cases to avoid forum shopping;

Harmonized timeline for public officers’ resignation before contesting elections;

Pilot diaspora voting for Nigerians in foreign missions during presidential elections.

Commitment to Electoral Reform
In his remarks, Dr. M. O. Ubani, SAN, reaffirmed the NBA’s unshakable commitment to credible elections in Nigeria. “We are optimistic that these amendments, if adopted, will pave the way for a more transparent and inclusive electoral process in 2027 and beyond,” he stated.

Mr. Sam Itodo, Alternate Chairman of the Committee, also attended the session and emphasized the alignment of these proposals with global democratic standards.

Encouragingly, feedback from the lawmakers suggests that many of the NBA’s recommendations are already being incorporated in the ongoing legislative review of the Electoral Act.

The NBA Electoral Reform Committee will continue to engage with the National Assembly to ensure the successful passage of these reforms.

Signed:
Dr. M. O. Ubani, SAN
Chairman, NBA Electoral Reform Committee

Mr. Sam Itodo
Alternate Chairman, NBA Electoral Reform Committee

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