Political Parties Demand Amendments to Electoral Act 2026

During a consultative meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, political parties, represented by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), called for urgent amendments to the Electoral Act 2026. IPAC National Chairman Dr.

Yusuf Mamman Dantal criticized the law for being regressive and failing to meet public expectations, describing it as a significant setback for Nigerian democracy. He expressed disappointment that the final act did not reflect the aspirations of the public and warned that the current framework could weaken the democratic process and constrain political parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

Dantal particularly criticized the provisions regarding direct primaries and the requirement for parties to submit membership registers with National Identification Numbers (NIN) within a limited timeframe, labeling it impractical and potentially disenfranchising millions of Nigerians. He also emphasized the need for mandatory electronic transmission of election results to enhance transparency and public trust.

INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan acknowledged the ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria's electoral framework in preparation for the upcoming elections.