INEC to Parties: We won’t allow you erode democratic values

n n

INEC chairman Joash Amupitan

n

…As Political Parties reject amended Electoral Act, demand key reviews
…LP zones 2027 Presidential ticket to South

n

By Omeiza Ajayi

n

ABUJA: The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has declared that while it remains a neutral arbiter in Nigeria’s electoral process, it will no longer serve as a “passive observer” while democratic values are systematically eroded by political actors.

n

The Commission’s Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan SAN, made the declaration on Tuesday in Abuja during a consultative meeting with leaders of political parties to review the draft INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2026.

n

According to him, the move is a proactive step to sanitize the political space ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

n

Addressing the parties leadership, Amupitan said; “INEC remains a neutral umpire, but we are no longer passive observers to the erosion of democratic values. Together, let us build an electoral ecosystem where the rules are clear, the playing field is level, and the outcome is beyond reproach.”

n

Parties reject Electoral Act

n

At the event, political parties under the umbrella of Inter Party Advisory Council IPAC also rejected the amended Electoral Act 2026, calling for a revision of some key provisions.

n

According to the parties, the Act is a regressive framework that threatens the integrity of the 2027 General Election.

n

IPAC National Chairman Dr Yusuf Mamman Dantalle called on the National Assembly to urgently repeal and amend the legislation to prevent a democratic crisis.

n

Dr. Dantalle expressed deep concern that the current Act places “immense pressure” on political parties and lacks the inclusivity required for a stable democracy.

n

He noted that the legislative framework has failed to reflect the contributions made by Nigerians during public hearings, leading to a significant trust deficit and rising voter apathy.

n

The Council specifically criticized the timing of INEC’s election timetable, arguing it was built on a contentious legal foundation that places immense strains on parties outside of the government.

n

IPAC also appealed to international developmental partners to use their diplomatic influence to ensure Nigeria’s democratic process remains sustainable and transparent.

n

Key Demands

n

The Council insists that the National Assembly must restore the option for indirect primaries to ensure that candidate selection remains an internal party affair rather than a mandated legislative process.

n

Additionally, IPAC demanded the immediate removal of the requirement for parties to submit membership registers containing National Identification Numbers NIN by April 2026, citing the risk of disenfranchising Nigerians who lack access to registration facilities.

n

A central pillar of the Council’s demands is the mandatory electronic transmission of results to the IReV portal immediately after polling unit announcements, without any discretionary provisos.

n

Furthermore, the leadership called for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to combat vote-buying and the strengthening of penalties for electoral malpractice to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot.

n

INEC talks tough

n

Earlier, Amupitan emphasized that the credibility of any election is rooted in the transparency of candidate emergence.

n

The chief electoral umpire noted that the new guidelines are designed to address the “disturbing gap” between party constitutions and grassroots realities.

n

“As I have often maintained, credible elections begin long before polling day; they begin in the transparency of the processes that produce the candidates,” the INEC boss stated.

n

He warned that the Commission is committed to “sanitizing party primaries” to end the “era of opaque processes that impose unpopular candidates, fueling voter apathy and a deluge of avoidable litigation.”

n

The review followed the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which has necessitated a “clause-by-clause realignment” of existing rules.

n

Professor Amupitan stressed that the Commission cannot “navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map,” especially given the compressed timetable that demands “surgical precision” In the execution of the timelines.

n

A major highlight of the draft regulations is the focus on Section 93(2) of the new Act, which mandates consultation between INEC and parties regarding election expenses.

n

The Chairman urged parties to pay close attention to clauses governing the management of finances for primaries and general conduct to ensure accountability.

n

Beyond financial oversight, the 2026 guidelines introduce measurable benchmarks for the inclusion of women, youth and Persons with Disabilities PWDs.

n

The regulations also streamline the registration and merger of parties while defining strict parameters for deregistration.

n

Urging political leaders to view the new rules as a safeguard rather than a restriction, he said by sharpening the rules, the Commission is protecting the sovereign will of the NigerianNigerian from the point of nomination to the final declaration of results.

n

LP zones ticket

n

Meanwhile, the Labour Party LP has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, effectively barring aspirants from the North from contesting for the position on its platform.

n

Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Senator Nenadi Usman, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday after the consultative meeting with INEC.

n

Senator Usman emphasized that the decision was a firm policy shift intended to provide clarity for prospective aspirants ahead of the next general election.

n

“We have one certain decision that we have taken. That is to say that we will certainly not field any aspirant from Northern Nigeria. We have zoned the position to Southern Nigeria. So if any Northerner comes now to want to contest elections, we certainly will not accept that”, she said when asked about the party’s zoning arrangement.

n

While confirming the regional preference, the National Chairman noted that the party remains committed to internal democracy and would not handpick a specific individual.

n

“As for who, I can’t tell you now because then it won’t be democratic anymore. When the aspirants come, whoever the people like and vote for during the primaries, then whoever it is that wins the primaries, then we put them in the position”, she said.

n

The announcement comes on the heels of a significant legal victory for the party’s current leadership.

n

Senator Usman confirmed that a suit filed at a High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, against the National Caretaker Committee was dismissed for lacking merit.

n

“To God be the glory, the case was thrown out. The court discovered that they had no locus standi. I believe the judge did very well by standing on truth and the case is now thrown out, so it is over”, she stated.

n

Regarding the party’s upcoming congresses, originally slated to begin on Thursday, March 26, the Chairman hinted at a potential adjustment to the timetable to accommodate a “surge” of new members.

n

She argued that sticking to the immediate date might disenfranchise many who are currently seeking to join the party. “If we go ahead to stick to that date, to my mind, we are going to disenfranchise quite a number of people. I think we should tinker with that date, sit together as a group and come up with a new date”, she said.

n

Senator Usman also touched on a recent security breach involving party property, confirming that a formal petition has been submitted to the Nigerian Police.

n

She expressed confidence that the authorities would “bring to book, all those who had a hand in what happened” to serve as a deterrent against future political violence.

n n