Elections Require Certainty INEC Must Give 360-Day Notice

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The Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, has stressed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must issue election notices at least 360 days before any election, in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions.

Nwankwo made the statement on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, warning that the National Assembly can no longer delay the passage of the Electoral Bill. He emphasised that time is running out and that electoral reforms must now be treated as a priority.

According to the civil rights advocate, proper preparation for elections depends on the certainty and stability of the legal framework guiding the process.

“Our electoral system is already guided by clear provisions in local and international legal instruments. We need time to prepare for elections. The legal framework, including ECOWAS protocols, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act, all stress the importance of certainty in electoral law,” Nwankwo explained.

360-Day Election Notice Still Enshrined in Law

The PLAC executive director noted that the requirement for a 360-day election notice remains firmly embedded in the 2022 Electoral Act, dismissing claims that the provision may have been removed or altered.

“When you look at the Constitution and the Electoral Act, it clearly states that election notice must be given 360 days before the polls. This requirement is still in the current 2022 Electoral Act, so there’s no issue there,” he said.

Nwankwo added that beyond the legal mandate, there are specific announcements and formal pronouncements that INEC must make to activate the electoral process.

“But there are announcements, pronouncements, and stipulations that need to be issued formally to ensure the process is activated properly,” he said.

He also commended the National Assembly for its ongoing work on electoral reforms, describing the legislative process as encouraging.

“I must say the National Assembly has been fantastic. Both the Senate and House of Representatives are actively deliberating, reviewing, and discussing the reform documents,” Nwankwo noted.

He urged lawmakers to fast-track the process to avoid last-minute changes that could undermine public confidence and the integrity of future elections.

“Certainty in electoral laws is a cornerstone for credible elections and the stability of democracy in Nigeria,” he added.