Political parties across Nigeria have voiced strong reservations over new electoral guidelines proposed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that aspects of the draft could threaten the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The concerns were raised during a consultative meeting in Abuja, where party leaders, operating under the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), scrutinised key provisions of the 2026 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
Among the most contentious issues is the proposed requirement for mandatory direct primaries, which parties argue may be difficult to implement given Nigeria’s complex political landscape. They also criticised the strict timelines and conditions for submitting membership registers, describing them as exclusionary and potentially disruptive.
According to the parties, such provisions could limit participation, strain party structures, and ultimately weaken confidence in the electoral process if not carefully reviewed.
The draft regulations were unveiled by INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, as part of efforts to strengthen the electoral framework ahead of the next general elections. He had invited stakeholders to provide input to ensure a more transparent and credible process.
However, party leaders urged both INEC and the National Assembly to reconsider some of the proposals, stressing the need for rules that are not only robust but also practical and inclusive.
They maintained that any regulatory framework guiding the 2027 polls must strike a balance between accountability and feasibility, warning that overregulation could create unintended barriers and erode public trust in Nigeria’s democratic system.
