Political parties under the umbrella of the Inter Party Advisory Council have rejected the amended Electoral Act 2026, describing it as a setback to Nigeria’s democratic progress and calling for immediate revisions.
The position was made known during a consultative meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja. IPAC’s National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, warned that the current law could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections if not urgently addressed.
Dantalle described the amended act as a regressive framework that places excessive pressure on political parties, particularly those outside the ruling elishment. He noted that the law failed to reflect public input gathered during consultations, leading to growing distrust and voter apathy among Nigerians.
One major concern raised by IPAC is the election timetable released by INEC, which the council argued is based on a contentious legal foundation. According to the group, this creates operational challenges for parties and could disrupt preparations for the upcoming elections.
The council also called on the National Assembly of Nigeria to urgently repeal and amend the legislation. Among its key demands is the restoration of indirect primaries, emphasizing that the od of candidate selection should remain an internal party decision rather than being imposed by law.
Additionally, IPAC strongly opposed the requirement for political parties to submit membership registers containing National Identification Numbers by April 2026. The council warned that such a provision risks disenfranchising many citizens who lack access to registration facilities.
Another critical demand is the mandatory electronic transmission of election results to the IReV portal immediately after polling unit announcements, without discretionary clauses. IPAC argued that this would enhance transparency and reduce electoral manipulation.
The council further advocated for the creation of an Electoral Offences Commission to address issues such as vote buying and electoral fraud, alongside stricter penalties for offenders.
IPAC also urged international development partners to support efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system, stressing that credible elections are vital for national ility.
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