Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2026 falls short of expectations, says IPAC

*Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, National Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council, agues if critical issues raised on the Electoral Act 2027 are not urgently addressed, they could undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process, and jeopardise success of the 2027 General Elections

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As preparations for the forthcoming 2027 General Elections gather pace in Nigeria, the country’s the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has said the amended Electoral Act 2026 yet falls far short of stakeholders’ expectations.

IPAC observed that rather than advancing Nigeria’s democratic journey, the Act represents “a significant regression one that must be urgently addressed in the national interest.”

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ConsumerConnect reports Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, National Chairman of IPAC, stated this Tuesday, March 25, in his speech delivered at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) meeting with leaders of political parties at the Commission’s Headquarters, in Abuja, FCT.

Dantalle stated: “It is particularly concerning that this contentious Electoral Act formed the basis upon which INEC released the timetable and schedule for the 2027 General Elections.

“This has inadvertently placed immense pressure on political parties, especially those outside government thereby constraining their ability to effectively prepare and contribute to building a strong, inclusive, and stable democratic nation.”

The National Chairman of IPAC also argued that the identified critical issues in the Electoral Act 2027, if not urgently addressed, could undermine the integrity of the West African country’s electoral process, and jeopardise the success of the 2027 General Elections.

Dantalle further said: “As a key stakeholder in Nigeria’s democratic system, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) is duty-bound to draw both national and international attention to evident shortcomings in the current electoral legal framework.

“Shortcomings that have the potential to impede, weaken, and destabilise our hard-earned democracy.”

He equally noted that Nigerians participated actively in the public hearings on the Constitution and Electoral Act amendments, with the expectation that their contributions would culminate in a progressive, inclusive, and people-oriented Electoral Act.

“Unfortunately, the Electoral Act 2026 falls far short of these expectations,” he intoned.

Dantalle declared: “IPAC firmly demands that the National Assembly, as a matter of urgency, revisits and amends the Electoral Act 2026.

“Specifically, the provision mandating direct primaries must be reconsidered, and the option of indirect primaries restored.”

The Chairman of IPAC also said the choice of candidate selection methods is an internal affair of political parties, and must not be subjected to undue legislative interference in the electoral system.

Besides, the IPAC National Chairman argued that the requirement for political parties to submit their membership registers, including members’ National Identification Numbers (NINs) within the limited timeframe of April 1- 21, 2026, is impractical and exclusionary.

“This provision risks disenfranchising a large segment of Nigerians who lack access to NIN registration facilities.

“In the spirit of inclusivity and participatory democracy, this requirement should be expunged,” he averred.

According to him, equally important is the restoration of the electronic transmission of election results after collation at polling units.

He stated: “Transmission of results to the IREV should be mandatory immediately after results are announced at the polling unit and no proviso is required.

“This is a fundamental demand of the Nigerian people and a critical safeguard for electoral transparency.”

Dantalle equally recalled the challenges experienced during the 2023 Presidential Election should serve as a reminder of the risks associated with lapses in this area.

He restated that such occurrences must not be allowed to recur.

These the Council reiterated at the recently concluded General Assembly, said he.

The National Chairman of IPAC lamented: “It is also deeply troubling that the new Electoral Act appears to weaken penalties for vote buying an offence that continues to erode the credibility of our elections.”

IPAC, therefore, reaffirmed its call for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to ensure that violators are held accountable.

He said stronger sanctions would serve as a deterrent and reinforce the sanctity of our democratic process.

Dantalle noted: “We have also taken steps by appealing to the National Assembly to urgently repeal the 2026 Electoral Act in the interest of credible and transparent electoral process.

“We are also calling on developmental partners to urgently deploy their diplomatic influences in the interest of a sustainable democracy in Nigeria.”

He also argued that leadership in a democratic society must be anchored on integrity, credibility, and accountability.

‘It is imperative that we collectively sanitise our political environment and uphold standards that inspire public trust.

“The prevailing trust deficit and voter apathy will persist unless decisive steps are taken to reform the current electoral framework,” he noted.

Dantalle said the international community is closely observing Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, with high expectations for improved outcomes in the 2027 General Elections.

He further warned: “We must rise to this responsibility.

“As we look ahead to the Ekiti and Osun Governorship Elections, INEC must demonstrate preparedness, professionalism, and technological efficiency, particularly in the deployment of BVAS and the IReV portal.

“There must be zero tolerance for lapses.”

He equally cautioned that the credibility of the Commission is at stake, and public confidence hinges on the assurance that every vote will count.

As the umbrella body of all registered political parties, he however, assured stakeholders that IPAC “remains committed to its mandate of fostering political stability, promoting credible elections, and deepening democracy in Nigeria.”

Dantalle said: “We will continue to engage constructively in pursuit of a democratic system that guarantees fairness, inclusivity, and sustainable national development.”

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