INEC Charges Political Parties on Credible Primaries Ahead of 2027 Polls

INEC Charges Political Parties on Credible Primaries Ahead of 2027 Polls

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on political parties to prioritise transparency and fairness in the conduct of their primaries, warning that credible elections begin long before voters head to the polls.

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during a consultative meeting with leaders of political parties on the review of the Commission’s regulations and guidelines.

Addressing stakeholders, Amupitan said the newly drafted 2026 guidelines were designed to strengthen internal party processes and ensure that candidates emerge through transparent and democratic means.

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

He explained that the revised regulations were aligned with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and aimed at creating a more accountable and inclusive political system.

According to him, “we cannot navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map,” noting that the Commission had undertaken a detailed review to ensure the rules reflect current realities.

The INEC boss said the updated framework covers key areas such as party registration, primaries, campaign conduct, finances and possible deregistration, adding that it also introduces measurable benchmarks for the participation of women, youths and persons with disabilities.

He urged political parties to view the regulations as safeguards rather than restrictions, stressing that they are essential to protecting the will of the electorate.

With the 2027 general elections scheduled for January and February, Amupitan warned that the shortened timelines under the new law demand “surgical precision” from both the Commission and political actors.

Also speaking at the meeting, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, raised concerns over provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, describing parts of it as a setback to democratic progress.

Dantalle called on the National Assembly to urgently review the law, particularly the mandatory direct primaries, which he said should be left to the discretion of political parties.

“The choice of candidate selection methods remains an internal affair of political parties and must not be subjected to undue legislative interference,” he stated.

He also criticised the requirement for parties to submit membership registers with National Identification Numbers within a limited timeframe, describing it as impractical and potentially exclusionary.

The IPAC chairman further emphasised the need to restore mandatory electronic transmission of results, warning that lapses in the process could undermine public confidence, as witnessed in previous elections.

He added that weak penalties for vote buying remain a major concern, reiterating calls for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to strengthen accountability.

Despite the concerns, Dantalle reaffirmed IPAC’s commitment to working with INEC and other stakeholders to ensure credible elections and deepen democracy in Nigeria.

The meeting brought together party leaders and electoral stakeholders, providing a platform for dialogue as the country prepares for another electoral cycle widely seen as critical to strengthening democratic institutions.