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From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
Better Community Life Initiative (BECOLIN), and its South East partner, Youth Political Participation (YPP) for Electoral Reform Consortium have called for the amendments of Sections 153, 154 and 285 of the Electoral Act by the National Assembly, saying the amendments of the sections would ensure the credibility and independence of the institutions, as well as boost public confidence in electoral outcomes.
Mr Chibundu Uchegbu, programme director, stated this yesterday at press conference in Owerri, the Imo State capital, to mark the national day of action on youth led electoral reforms.
The reforms, he said, would strengthen transparency, reduce tension around elections and improve the credibility of outcomes across all levels of government.
The statement read: “A transparent, merit-based process for appointing the INEC leadership; amend sections 153 and 154 to remove presidential discretion in appointing the INEC Chair, National Commissioners, and RECs; establish a special non-partisan selection committee drawn from reputable national institutions.
“Current appointment processes raise concerns about political influence. A non-partisan mechanism will strengthen public trust in INEC, enhance neutrality and reduce perceptions of bias. This reform improves the integrity of elections and reinforces INEC’s independence.
“Conclusion of all pre-election cases before election day and resolution of post-election cases before inauguration.
“Amend section 285 to shorten timelines for pre-election and post-election cases; adjust jurisdictional provisions for the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal; introduce eligibility thresholds for filing petitions. Prolonged litigation creates unfair advantages, pressures the judiciary and allows candidates with pending cases to assume office. “Timely adjudication ensures fairness, reduces political tension and aligns electoral justice with democratic expectations.
“Establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission – passage of the enabling Act and related constitutional alignment to empower an independent body to investigate and prosecute electoral offences.
“Violence, vote-buying, intimidation and impunity undermine elections – a dedicated commission will professionalize investigations, ensure accountability and deter manipulative practices that compromise the will of voters.”
Uchegbu reiterated that, “these reforms respond directly to long-standing public concerns and reflect demands consistently voiced out by young Nigerians who experience the consequences of political manipulation, delayed justice and weak institutional safeguards. Legislators who support these reforms position themselves as champions of democratic accountability, a legacy that strengthens their standing with constituents and reinforces public confidence in their leadership over time.”
