Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged political parties to adopt a transparent and meticulous process in selecting their candidates, warning that credible elections begin long before polling day.
Joash Amupitan, INEC Chairman, made the call during a consultative meeting with party leaders in Abuja, where the commission presented revised regulations and guidelines aligned with the Electoral Act 2026.
Amupitan stressed that political parties and INEC share responsibility for safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, noting that the integrity of elections depends heavily on how candidates emerge.
“We cannot navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map,” he said, explaining that the updated guidelines reflect a comprehensive review of the 2022 framework to align with current legal provisions.
He added that the commission had carried out a clause-by-clause realignment of its rules to ensure they are both legally sound and operationally effective.
INEC also 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.
According to the chairman, the shortened timelines in the Electoral Act 2026 demand what he described as “surgical precision” from political parties, particularly in organising primaries and managing campaign processes.
The revised guidelines introduce stricter standards for party operations, campaign conduct, and election financing. INEC said the measures are designed to curb opaque primaries, reduce litigation, and promote accountability.
Clear provisions have also been outlined for political rallies to ensure peaceful campaigns that respect citizens’ rights, while financial regulations aim to enforce transparency in party funding and election expenses.
However, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) raised strong objections to the Electoral Act 2026, describing it as a setback to Nigeria’s democratic progress.
Speaking on behalf of party leaders, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, IPAC Chairman, called on the National Assembly to urgently amend the law before the elections.
He argued that the Act failed to reflect public expectations and warned that its provisions could weaken the democratic process.
IPAC specifically rejected the provision mandating direct primaries, insisting that political parties should retain the right to choose their candidate selection methods, including indirect primaries.
The council also criticised the requirement for parties to submit members’ registers with National Identification Numbers (NIN) within a short timeframe, describing it as impractical and potentially exclusionary.
In addition, IPAC called for the mandatory electronic transmission of election results from polling units, stronger penalties for vote buying, and the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to improve accountability.
The disagreement between INEC and political parties highlights growing tensions around the legal and operational framework for the 2027 elections.
While INEC is pushing for stricter compliance and transparency, political parties are warning that unresolved legal gaps in the Electoral Act could undermine preparations and public confidence in the electoral process.
