The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called for collaboration among political stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process, as the Commission unveiled a draft of its 2026 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
Speaking at a consultative meeting with party leaders in Abuja on Tuesday, Amupitan said the new guidelines were designed to enhance transparency, fairness, and accountability in the electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections. He noted that the review aligns with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and reflects lessons from previous elections.
The INEC chairman stressed that credible elections begin with transparent party processes, particularly in candidate selection, adding that the revised guidelines aim to address irregularities in party primaries and reduce post-election litigation.
He disclosed that the Commission had undertaken a clause-by-clause review of the 2022 regulations to ensure compliance with the new legal framework, including provisions on party financing, campaign conduct, and deregistration procedures. According to him, the reforms also introduce measurable benchmarks to boost participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Amupitan further highlighted the tight timeline for the 2027 elections, with presidential and National Assembly polls scheduled for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state assembly elections set for February 6, 2027. He urged political parties to engage constructively with the draft regulations, describing them as safeguards for protecting the will of the electorate.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, expressed concerns over the Electoral Act 2026, describing it as a setback to Nigeria’s democratic progress.
Dantalle said the Act failed to meet public expectations despite widespread stakeholder input during its drafting. He warned that certain provisions could undermine preparations for the 2027 elections, particularly for opposition parties.
IPAC called on the National Assembly to urgently amend the law, especially provisions mandating direct primaries, which it argued should remain the prerogative of political parties. The council also opposed the requirement for submission of party membership registers with National Identification Numbers within a limited timeframe, describing it as exclusionary.
The council further demanded the mandatory electronic transmission of election results to the INEC Result Viewing portal, citing past lapses as a threat to electoral transparency. It also raised concerns over weakened penalties for vote buying and reiterated calls for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission.
Dantalle urged INEC to demonstrate improved efficiency in upcoming off-cycle governorship elections, particularly in the deployment of technology, noting that public confidence in the electoral system depends on credible processes.
Both INEC and IPAC emphasised the need for sustained dialogue and reforms to ensure credible, inclusive, and transparent elections in Nigeria.