Civil Society Groups Urge National Assembly to Unbundle INEC for Better Electoral Management

 Several civil society organizations have called on the National Assembly to restructure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), arguing that the commission is overwhelmed and incapable of handling the country’s vast electoral responsibilities effectively.

The groups are advocating for the unbundling of INEC into multiple agencies, each tasked with different aspects of election management, including voter registration, election conduct, and prosecution of electoral offenses. According to them, the current structure of INEC makes it difficult for the commission to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, stakeholders believe that electoral reforms are necessary to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy. Lawmakers have acknowledged the concerns and assured Nigerians that proposals for electoral reforms will be considered.