INEC Pushes for Transparency in Party Primaries Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on political parties to ensure fairness and transparency in the conduct of their primary elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made this known in Abuja during a consultative meeting with leaders of political parties on the review of the Commission’s regulations and guidelines.
Professor Amupitan explained that the newly drafted 2026 guidelines were aimed at strengthening internal party processes and ensuring that candidates emerge through transparent and democratic means.
He noted that the revised regulations are aligned with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and are designed to promote a more accountable and inclusive political system.
“We cannot navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map; the Commission has undertaken a detailed review to ensure the rules reflect current realities,” he said.
The INEC Chairman added that the updated framework covers areas such as party registration, primaries, campaign conduct, finances, and possible deregistration. He further explained that it 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, emphasizing that they are essential for protecting the will of the electorate.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, called on the National Assembly to urgently review the 2026 Electoral Act, particularly the provision mandating 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 said.
Alhaji Dantalle also criticized the requirement for parties to submit membership registers with National Identification Numbers within a limited timeframe, noting that it could exclude many electorates from participating in the electoral process.
He further stressed the need to restore mandatory electronic transmission of results, enforce stricter punishment for vote buying, and establish an Electoral Offences Commission to strengthen accountability.
The IPAC Chairman reaffirmed the council’s commitment to working with INEC and other stakeholders to ensure credible elections and deepen democracy in Nigeria.