Activist Urges President to Prioritize Elections Readiness as Parliament Reopens

By Jenifer James

The Human rights activist Edmund Yakani has urged the president to priorities election readiness as Parliament reconvenes following a six-month recess.

The Transitional National Legislative Assembly will resume its sessions on Wednesday, July 16, amid growing concerns over the slow pace of election preparations.

In a statement seen by the Dawn, Yakani appealed to the president to convey a strong message of political will and institutional commitment during the opening session.

“With less than 18 months to go, we need clear leadership and action,” Yakani said on Monday. “The president’s address must reassure the nation that the elections will be inclusive, peaceful, and credible.”

Yakani expressed concern over delays in key electoral processes, particularly the lack of funding for the National Elections Commission (NEC), which is responsible for organising the vote.

“We urge the government to urgently release the necessary funds to the NEC so that it can begin its work without further delay,” he stated.

He also highlighted the need for a robust security plan to protect electoral officials, candidates, and voters throughout the process, emphasising the importance of safeguarding civic and political freedoms to enable fair participation.

“Civic space must be fully open,” Yakani noted. “All citizens and political actors should be able to participate freely and without fear.”

The activist further called for decisions on several interlinked national issues, including the drafting of a permanent constitution, the conduct of a national census, and the creation of new geographical constituencies. These steps are critical for the structure of the proposed 332-seat parliament.

Given the high number of internally displaced people, Yakani recommended reverting to the 2010 constituency boundaries to avoid excluding affected populations.

In a bold appeal, he urged the government to release all political detainees, including those in high-ranking positions, as a gesture of democratic goodwill.

“Releasing political detainees would send a strong signal of commitment to a peaceful and inclusive democratic transition,” he said.

Yakani also called for the consolidation of all pending electoral laws and frameworks to streamline preparations and build public trust.

As the country approaches the 2026 vote, civil society groups are intensifying pressure on the government to ensure transparency, inclusiveness, and readiness across institutions.