IPAC Rejects Electoral Act 2026, Threatens Boycott of 2027 Polls
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has rejected key provisions of the new Electoral Act 2026 and warned that political parties under its umbrella may boycott the 2027 general elections if urgent amendments are not made.
The warning was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of IPAC’s General Assembly meeting held on February 26, 2027, at its national secretariat in Abuja.
IPAC said although the new law was enacted to address shortcomings observed in the Electoral Act 2022, some of its provisions have introduced fresh concerns that could weaken Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
The council noted that certain aspects of the law are not conducive to the growth and development of political parties and are inconsistent with its core objective of deepening democracy in Nigeria.
A major concern raised by the council is Section 84(2) of the Act, which excludes indirect primaries in the nomination of candidates for elections. IPAC argued that the removal of indirect primaries undermines the constitutional right of political parties to regulate their internal affairs and determine how candidates are selected.
According to the council, judicial pronouncements, including decisions by Nigeria’s highest courts, have affirmed that political parties possess fundamental rights in the administration of their internal processes.
IPAC said it had played an important role in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system, noting that it helped stabilise the political environment during the collation of the 2023 Nigerian presidential election results when tensions were high.
The council stated that it could not remain silent over what it described as troubling provisions in the new law.
It therefore called the attention of Nigerians and the international community, including the United Nations, European Union, Economic Community of West African States, as well as the United States and United Kingdom embassies, to the issues raised.
IPAC insisted that the National Assembly of Nigeria must urgently address the concerns to guarantee that the 2027 general elections are free, fair, credible and inclusive.
It warned that failure to amend the contentious provisions could compel political parties within the council to boycott the polls.
“In such circumstances, the outcome of the elections will be rejected as illegitimate and will not be recognised by the political parties,” the communiqué stated.
Among the amendments demanded by IPAC is the restoration of indirect primaries as an option for selecting candidates.
The council also called for the removal of the requirement that members of political parties must possess and upload their National Identification Number, arguing that the provision could disenfranchise many Nigerians who do not have access to the identification system.
It further demanded the expungement of certain provisions of Section 77 of the Act, which it said infringe on citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of association.
IPAC also urged lawmakers to restore the mandatory electronic transmission of election results after their announcement at polling units, noting that the absence of this provision was one of the major flaws observed during the 2023 presidential election.
Other recommendations include stronger penalties for vote buying and the restoration of forged certificates as valid grounds for election petitions.
The council argued that removing forged certificates as grounds for election challenges could allow individuals with questionable credentials to occupy public office, which it said contradicts the country’s constitutional provisions on qualification for elective offices.
The communiqué was signed by IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf M. Dantalle, and the council’s National Secretary, Maxwell Mgbududem.
