Lawyers have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to strengthen transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The legal practitioners, drawn from Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor, said credible elections depended on accurate voter registration records, transparent procedures and public access to verifiable electoral information.
The Managing Partner of the firm, Henry Eni-Otu, made the call during a media parley organised in Abuja to mark the firm’s Founders’ Day 2026.
Eni-Otu urged INEC to provide clear information on voter registration timelines and create accessible opportunities for citizens to inspect their registration details.
He also called on the commission to establish effective procedures through which voters could submit claims, objections and requests for corrections where errors or discrepancies were identified in their records.
According to him, electoral transparency should begin long before election day, with institutions responsible for conducting elections ensuring that their activities are open to public scrutiny.
He identified Sections 19 and 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 as important provisions guiding the publication of the voters’ register and the submission of political parties’ membership registers to INEC.
Section 19 addresses the display or publication of the voters’ register, while Section 77 concerns political parties’ membership registers and their submission to the commission before primaries, congresses and conventions.
The lawyer urged INEC to explain the relevant statutory timelines and establish transparent procedures for verifying compliance with the requirements.
He also stressed the need for appropriate safeguards to protect personal information contained in political parties’ membership records.
Eni-Otu further called for greater clarity in the publication of voter registration figures, urging the commission to distinguish between applications received, completed registrations and the final number of eligible registered voters.
He said the commission should provide timely explanations whenever published figures change or credible discrepancies emerge.
According to him, political parties must also maintain accurate membership records and comply with their legal obligations, while INEC applies the same standards consistently across all parties.
“Public confidence grows when electoral procedures and information can withstand scrutiny,” he said.
The managing partner maintained that transparent electoral administration would strengthen public trust and reduce disputes arising from uncertainty over voter records and compliance with electoral laws.
He also called on the National Assembly to abolish the requirement for the Attorney-General’s consent before garnishee proceedings can be initiated against funds held by public officers in their official capacities.
On mental health, Eni-Otu advocated the decriminalisation of attempted suicide under relevant provisions of the Criminal Code and Penal Code, alongside improved access to treatment and crisis intervention services.
He urged lawmakers and relevant authorities to support legal reforms and invest in affordable mental healthcare.
Meanwhile, the firm announced the admission of Professor Olanrewaju Aladeitan, a Professor of Public and International Law at the University of Abuja, as a partner.
Aladeitan expressed commitment to contributing his academic experience, legal expertise and professional networks to the growth of the firm.
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