Political parties raise alarm over INEC draft rules, say 2027 elections at risk

Political parties have expressed deep reservations over the proposed 2026 electoral regulations introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that some provisions could compromise the integrity of the 2027 general elections.

The concerns were voiced in Abuja during a consultative session convened to review the draft guidelines, where party leaders, under the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), criticised elements such as compulsory direct primaries and stringent requirements for submitting membership registers.

Speaking on behalf of the council, IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, cautioned that unresolved issues within the proposed framework could undermine the electoral process.

“Critical issues, if not urgently addressed, could jeopardise the success of the 2027 General Election,” he said.

Dantalle argued that rather than strengthening democracy, the draft law risks reversing progress already made.

“Rather than advancing our democratic journey, it represents a significant regression,” he stated,

He noted that many Nigerians had expected a more inclusive framework, but instead found provisions that place excessive pressure on political parties, particularly those not in power. He also pushed back against mandatory direct primaries, insisting that parties should retain control over their internal processes.

“The choice of candidate selection methods remains an internal affair of political parties,” he said, urging lawmakers to restore indirect primaries as an alternative.

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He further described the requirement for political parties to submit membership registers—complete with National Identification Numbers—within a limited timeframe as unrealistic and exclusionary.

On election transparency, Dantalle reiterated the demand for electronic transmission of results, warning against repeating past shortcomings.

“This is a fundamental demand of the Nigerian people,” he added.

He also called for stronger enforcement mechanisms to tackle electoral offences, including the establishment of a dedicated commission, stressing that public confidence in the electoral system must be restored.

“The credibility of the commission is at stake, and public confidence hinges on the assurance that every vote will count,” he said.

He added that Nigeria’s next general election would be under close international scrutiny.

In response, INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, defended the proposed regulations, emphasising that credible elections are rooted in transparent processes long before election day.

“We gather not only to discuss the newly drafted INEC Regulation and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2026, but also to reaffirm our collective commitment to enhancing the democratic process in Nigeria.

“Credible elections begin long before polling day; they begin in the transparency of the processes that produce the candidates,” he said.

Amupitan explained that the draft guidelines emerged from a comprehensive review of the 2022 regulations, supported by empirical findings, including insights from the Political Party Performance Index developed in partnership with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.

He revealed that the review uncovered a “disturbing gap between party constitutions and grassroots realities,” prompting reforms across party registration, internal operations, primaries, campaign conduct, financial transparency, and deregistration conditions.

“These guidelines aim to sanitise party primaries and end opaque processes that impose unpopular candidates, fuelling voter apathy and avoidable litigation,” he said.

The INEC boss also highlighted new provisions on campaign finance, noting that the Electoral Act 2026 empowers the commission to set spending limits in consultation with political parties.

With the 2027 elections approaching, Amupitan warned that INEC is working within tight timelines, with presidential and National Assembly elections slated for January 16, and governorship and state assembly polls scheduled for February 6.

“We are operating within a compressed timetable, which demands what I call surgical precision,” he noted.

He added that the draft regulations include measurable targets to boost participation among women, youth, and persons with disabilities, urging stakeholders to see the reforms as protective measures rather than constraints.

“By sharpening these rules, we are protecting the sovereign will of the Nigerian people from nomination to the final declaration of results,” he said.

Reaffirming the commission’s independence, Amupitan stressed that INEC would remain impartial while taking a more proactive stance in safeguarding democratic values.

“INEC remains a neutral umpire, but we are no longer passive observers to the erosion of democratic values,” he added.

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