ADC Rejects INEC's Electoral Timetable, Cites Bias

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has publicly rejected the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) revised electoral timetable for the 2026-2027 elections, claiming it contains "booby traps" aimed at sidelining opposition parties and facilitating the ruling party's dominance. ADC's statement, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, argues that the new requirements, particularly the mandate for political parties to submit comprehensive digital membership registers by April 2, 2026, create insurmountable hurdles for opposition parties.

The ADC contends that these stipulations, outlined in the Electoral Act 2026, unfairly burden them and provide undue advantages to the ruling party. The party highlights that the timeline for primaries, set between April 23 and May 30, 2026, is insufficient for compliance, as it requires extensive data collection and registration processes.

The ADC, alongside civil society organizations, is calling for a review of the electoral schedule to ensure a fair democratic process leading up to the 2027 general elections.