NGE SEEKS ELECTORAL DISPUTES RESOLVED BEFORE INAUGURATION

The Nigerian Guild of Editors has called for electoral reforms that would require disputes arising from elections to be resolved before elected candidates are sworn into office.

The recommendation was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu.

The Guild also proposed a constitutional amendment requiring presidential candidates to secure at least 50 per cent of votes cast to win an election.

Under the proposal, a run-off would be conducted where no presidential candidate reaches the 50 per cent threshold.

The editors said resolving electoral disputes before swearing-in would help address prolonged litigation after elections and provide greater certainty around the outcome of polls.

The Guild also called for broader constitutional and electoral reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and improving the electoral process.

The recommendations come ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties, civil society groups and other stakeholders increasingly discussing changes to the country’s electoral framework.

The proposals would require consideration through the appropriate constitutional and legislative processes before they could become law.