INEC Chairman Advocates Early Party Primaries Reform

Prof. Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has advocated for an amendment to the Electoral Act that would require political parties to conclude their primary elections at least one year prior to general elections.

This proposal aims to provide sufficient time for resolving disputes related to candidate nominations, thereby minimizing election-related litigation. Amupitan made this call during a keynote address at the public presentation of "Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023)" in Abuja.

He noted that many legal disputes arise from disagreements over party primaries rather than during elections themselves. Amupitan emphasized the importance of internal democracy within political parties and warned that issues such as candidate imposition and lack of transparency during primaries contribute to pre-election court cases.

He also called for constitutional reforms to grant INEC greater financial autonomy, suggesting that its funding should come directly from the Federation Account to enhance operational efficiency.