INEC Urges Political Parties to Boost Women's Participation

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on political parties to transition from lip service to actionable measures regarding women's participation in politics. During an engagement in Abuja, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, represented by Prof. Rhoda Gumus, noted that women made up 47.52% of the 93,469,008 registered voters in the 2023 general election, totaling 44,414,846.

Despite this significant presence, only 10.15% of candidates for major elective positions were women, with just three women elected to the Senate and 16 to the House of Representatives. Prof. Gumus emphasized the need for political parties to provide practical support to female candidates, including access to party structures, campaign platforms, and mentoring.

She stated that women's participation is essential for the sustainability of Nigeria's democracy. The ongoing voter registration for the 2027 elections shows that women accounted for 52.68% of new registrants, further underscoring their critical role in the electorate.