INEC’s Constitutional Mandate Is Not All About Elections – Ajulo, SAN
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) possesses a broader constitutional mandate that extends far beyond conducting elections, according to Dr Kayode Ajulo, OON, SAN, Attorney General of Ondo State and Commissioner for Justice.
In a detailed statement, Ajulo, a jurist, who is on leave of absence from his position as Founding Partner of Kayode Ajulo (SAN) & Co. Castle of Law emphasised that INEC was established under Section 153(1)(f) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as one of the key independent federal executive bodies designed to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.
Citing Part I, Paragraph 15 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution, Ajulo highlighted INEC’s powers to organise elections, register and monitor political parties, audit their accounts, and maintain the voters’ register. He noted that these responsibilities underscore a continuous, proactive role throughout the electoral cycle.
“These provisions make one thing clear: INEC is not all about elections,” Ajulo stated. “While conducting credible polls is its most visible responsibility, the Constitution deliberately assigns the Commission a broad, continuous, and proactive mandate.”
He referenced the Electoral Act 2022, which further empowers INEC to conduct voter and civic education, promote democratic processes, and handle referendums, among other functions. According to him, these include monitoring party primaries, regulating campaign finances, and ensuring internal democracy within political parties.
Ajulo argued that functions such as Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), party finance auditing, and sustained civic education form the essential infrastructure of democracy. He warned that a narrow perception of INEC as merely a polling-day body has contributed to challenges like inaccuracies in the voters’ register, weak enforcement of rules, and public distrust.
The Senior Advocate called on INEC to prioritise its year-round responsibilities with the same rigour applied to general elections. He urged stronger party regulation to curb godfatherism and imposition of candidates, enhanced civic education to combat apathy and misinformation, and unwavering demonstration of institutional independence.
Ajulo further noted that the Supreme Court has consistently upheld INEC’s broad regulatory powers derived directly from the Constitution.
He concluded by stressing that living up to the full meaning of “Independent National Electoral Commission” is a constitutional imperative.
“Independent demands courage and neutrality. National requires service to all Nigerians without fear or favour. Electoral encompasses the holistic democratic franchise,” Ajulo said.
As Nigeria looks ahead to the 2027 general elections, Ajulo advised INEC to fully embrace its wide-ranging mandate to build public confidence and strengthen participatory democracy