All the registered political parties in Nigeria under the umbrella of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has complained that the Electoral Act 2026 has woefully failed to measure up to the expectations of the citizenry.
“Nigerians participated actively in the public hearings on the Constitution and Electoral Act amendments, with the expectation that their contributions would culminate in a progressive, inclusive, and people-oriented Electoral Act.
“Unfortunately, the Electoral Act 2026 falls far short of these expectations.
“Rather than advancing our democratic journey, it represents a significant regression one that must be urgently addressed in the national interest.”
The national chairman of the IPAC, Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, spoke at a meeting of the representatives of all the political parties with the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja today, March 24.
Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, “on behalf of the leadership of political parties in Nigeria,” warned that such critical issues needed to be urgently addressed before they undermine the integrity of the nation’s electoral process and jeopardise the success of the 2027 General Election.
“As a key stakeholder in Nigeria’s democratic system, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) is duty-bound to draw both national and international attention to evident shortcomings in the current electoral legal framework—shortcomings that have the potential to impede, weaken, and destabilise our hard-earned democracy.
Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle expressed concern that the contentious Electoral Act formed the basis upon which INEC released the timetable and schedule for the 2027 General Elections, adding that this has inadvertently placed immense pressure on political parties, especially those outside government thereby constraining their ability to effectively prepare and contribute to building a strong, inclusive, and stable democratic nation.
“In this regard, IPAC firmly demands that the National Assembly, as a matter of urgency, revisits and amends the Electoral Act 2026. Specifically, the provision mandating direct primaries must be reconsidered, and the option of indirect primaries restored.
“The choice of candidate selection methods remains an internal affair of political parties and must not be subjected to undue legislative interference.”
He said that the requirement for political parties to submit their membership registers including members’ National Identification Numbers (NIN) within the limited timeframe of 1st to 21st April 2026 is impractical and exclusionary.
He stressed that this provision risks disenfranchising a large segment of Nigerians who lack access to NIN registration facilities. The IPAC leadership said that In the spirit of inclusivity and participatory democracy, this requirement should be expunged.
“Equally important is the restoration of the electronic transmission of election results after collation at polling units. Transmission of results to the IREV should be mandatory immediately after results are announced at the polling unit and no proviso is required.
“This is a fundamental demand of the Nigerian people and a critical safeguard for electoral transparency. The challenges experienced during the 2023 presidential election serve as a reminder of the risks associated with lapses in this area.
“Such occurrences must not be allowed to recur. These the Council reiterated at the recently concluded General Assembly.
“It is also deeply troubling that the new Electoral Act appears to weaken penalties for vote buying an offence that continues to erode the credibility of our elections. IPAC reiterates its call for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to ensure that violators are held accountable.
“Stronger sanctions will serve as a deterrent and reinforce the sanctity of our democratic process.
“We have also taken steps by appealing to the National Assembly to urgently repeal the 2026 Electoral Act in the interest of credible and transparent electoral process. We are also calling on developmental partners to urgently deploy their diplomatic influences in the interest of a sustainable democracy in Nigeria.
“Leadership in a democratic society must be anchored on integrity, credibility, and accountability. It is imperative that we collectively sanitise our political environment and uphold standards that inspire public trust. “The prevailing trust deficit and voter apathy will persist unless decisive steps are taken to reform the current electoral framework.
“The international community is closely observing Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, with high expectations for improved outcomes in the 2027 General Election. We must rise to this responsibility.
“As we look ahead to the Ekiti and Osun Governorship Elections, INEC must demonstrate preparedness, professionalism, and technological efficiency, particularly in the deployment of BVAS and the IReV portal. There must be zero tolerance for lapses. The credibility of the Commission is at stake, and public confidence hinges on the assurance that every vote will count.
“As the umbrella body of all registered political parties, IPAC remains committed to its mandate of fostering political stability, promoting credible elections, and deepening democracy in Nigeria. We will continue to engage constructively in pursuit of a democratic system that guarantees fairness, inclusivity, and sustainable national development.”
