The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has called for an urgent revisit and amend the 2026 Electoral Act, warning of the toxic contents of the current provisions that could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a consultative meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja on Tuesday, the IPAC National Chairman, Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, described the law as a “regression” that falls short of public expectations.
Dantalle stated that Nigerians had actively participated in public hearings on electoral reforms with the hope of having a more inclusive and progressive legal framework, but expressed disappointment that the final Act did not reflect those aspirations.
“It represents a significant setback that must be urgently addressed in the national interest,” he said.
He warned that the current legal framework could weaken the democratic processes and constrain political parties ahead of the polls.
The IPAC chairman, particularly, faulted the provision mandating direct primaries for choice of its leaders and candidates, insisting that such choices should remain an internal affair of political parties.
He equally criticised the requirement for parties to submit membership registers, including National Identification Numbers (NIN) of members, within a limited timeframe, describing it as not practical and potentially disenfranchising millions of Nigerians.
Dantalle further called for the restoration of mandatory electronic transmission of election results from the polling units, stressing that it remains critical to transparency and public trust.
He stated that lapses in result transmission during previous elections, had contributed to voter apathy and growing skepticism.
On electoral offences, IPAC raised concerns over what it described as weakened penalty for vote buying, reiterating its demand for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to ensure accountability and deter electoral malpractices.
In his opening remarks, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), said the meeting was part of the on-going efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework and prepare for a compressed election timetable ahead of 2027.
Amupitan noted that the Commission had undertaken a comprehensive review of its regulations and guidelines, to align with the Electoral Act, emphasising that credible elections begin with transparent processes leading to candidates emergence.
“We cannot navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map. The updated guidelines aim to promote fairness, accountability, and inclusivity across political parties,” he said.
He highlighted key areas covered in the revised regulations, including party operations, primaries, campaign conduct, and election financing, while also introducing measurable benchmarks for the participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
The INEC chairman urged political parties to view the regulations as safeguards rather than restrictions, advocating continued constructive engagement to improve the electoral system.
Recall that the 2027 general elections scheduled for January and February, 2027.
At the meeting were the chairmen and secretaries of all the political parties, including Sen. Nenadi Usman (Labour Party), Abdulrahman Mohammed (PDP), Dan Nwanyanwu (Zenith Labour Party), among other stakeholders.
