Political parties have expressed strong concerns over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) newly unveiled 2026 draft regulations, warning that some provisions could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The concerns were raised during a consultative meeting held in Abuja, where party leaders, under the Inter-Party Advisory Council, criticised key aspects of the proposed guidelines.
Among the contentious provisions are the introduction of mandatory direct primaries and stricter requirements for the submission of party membership registers. According to the parties, these measures are impractical and could exclude smaller parties from fully participating in the electoral process.
“We believe some of these provisions, particularly the compulsory direct primaries, are not only impractical but also risk disenfranchising many political actors,” a representative of the council said.
Another party leader added, “The requirement for strict and comprehensive submission of membership registers, within limited timelines, could prove burdensome and exclusionary, especially for smaller parties with limited resources.”
The political leaders warned that enforcing such rules without flexibility may weaken inclusivity and erode public confidence in the electoral system.
“If not properly reviewed, these guidelines could undermine the transparency and credibility of the 2027 elections rather than strengthen them,” the council cautioned.
They subsequently called on the Independent National Electoral Commission and the National Assembly of Nigeria to review the draft regulations to ensure transparency, fairness, and broad participation ahead of the 2027 polls.
The concerns followed the presentation of a revised draft of the 2026 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties by INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, who sought stakeholders’ input as part of efforts to strengthen the electoral framework.
“We are committed to engaging all stakeholders to ensure that the final regulations reflect best practices and strengthen the integrity of our elections,” Amupitan said.
INEC maintained that the consultation process is aimed at refining the guidelines, even as stakeholders continue to debate the practicality of the proposed reforms.