Coalition criticizes Nigeria's electoral commission over 2026 voting rules, demands overhaul

The Movement for Credible Elections has criticised the 2026 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission, describing them as overregulated, impractical and insufficient to guarantee credible elections ahead of the 2027 general polls.

In a press statement released on Wednesday in Abuja and signed by its Head of the National Secretariat, Olawale Okunniyi, the group warned that the guidelines, if left unchanged, could alienate grassroots voters, stifle smaller political parties and worsen voter apathy across the country.

The group acknowledged INEC’s stated intention to improve transparency in the electoral process, particularly in the conduct of party primaries, but argued that the framework “falls far short of the structural transformation required to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.”

The group stressed that, “While the framework reflects some attempts at reforms, it falls far short of the structural transformation required to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections”.

The MCE said good intentions alone were insufficient, stressing that the current guidelines, as presented, are overly bureaucratic, operationally unrealistic, and dangerously silent on the most critical elements of electoral credibility.

The group further accused the electoral body of regulatory overreach, warning that excessive interference in the internal affairs of political parties could undermine democratic principles.

“The guidelines represent a troubling expansion of regulatory overreach into the internal affairs of political parties. By attempting to rigidly regulate candidate selection processes, INEC risks undermining the constitutional right to freedom of association and eroding internal party democracy rather than strengthening it,” the statement added.

Aligning with concerns previously raised by the Inter-Party Advisory Council, the MCE cautioned that restrictive provisions around party primaries could trigger disputes, weaken party structures and alienate grassroots participants.

On compliance requirements, the group described as exclusionary the directive mandating political parties to submit comprehensive membership registers, including National Identification Numbers, within a limited timeframe.

“In a country where millions of eligible citizens still remain outside the national identity database, such provisions risk disenfranchising legitimate party members and disproportionately disadvantaging smaller parties. This is not reform—it is systemic exclusion disguised as electoral reforms,” it said.

The organisation also raised concerns over what it described as a compressed timetable for implementation, warning that rushed processes could compromise the integrity of elections.

“Complex processes such as party primaries, candidate verification, and compliance audits require adequate time to ensure accuracy and fairness. Rushed timelines will inevitably produce errors, disputes and litigation, further eroding public trust,” the group stated.

Of particular concern to the MCE was what it termed INEC’s silence on the electronic transmission of election results, which it described as critical to restoring electoral credibility.

“Most alarming is the continued ambiguity over the mandatory electronic transmission of election results, which remains the single most critical demand of the Nigerian electorate.

“Any regulatory framework that fails to unequivocally guarantee real-time, transparent, and verifiable transmission of results from polling units cannot be taken seriously,” the group emphasised.

The group also faulted the guidelines for lacking clear enforcement mechanisms, warning that without accountability, the regulations could be routinely violated.

“Without a robust mechanism for investigating and prosecuting electoral offences, these regulations risk becoming yet another set of rules that are routinely violated without consequence,” it said.

Reiterating its call for the establishment of an independent Electoral Offences Commission
On voter apathy, the MCE described declining participation in elections as a rational response to a system widely perceived as compromised.

“The most damning indictment of Nigeria’s electoral system is the growing wave of voter apathy. Nigerians will not participate in elections unless they are convinced that their votes will count and will be protected,” the statement added.

The group called on INEC to urgently review the guidelines and adopt measures to strengthen transparency, enforcement and inclusiveness in the electoral process.

Among its recommendations, the MCE urged the commission to guarantee real-time electronic transmission of results, provide public access to polling unit-level data, extend timelines for compliance, and respect the autonomy of political parties.

It also called for improved voter education, better election-day logistics, enhanced security and continuous stakeholder engagement to rebuild trust in the system.

The statement noted that Nigeria was at a critical democratic juncture, warning that the credibility of the 2027 elections would depend not on the volume of regulations issued but on the transparency and integrity of their implementation.

“INEC must understand that public trust is not commanded—it is earned through consistent, verifiable action,” the group stated.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, (SAN), has expressed concern over the persistent decline in voter turnout across elections in Nigeria, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to the country’s democratic development.

Amupitan, lamented that despite efforts by the commission to improve the credibility of elections, many eligible Nigerians continue to stay away from the polls.

He described voter apathy as one of the most pressing challenges confronting the electoral system, noting that low participation undermines the legitimacy of elected leaders and weakens democratic institutions.

The INEC chairman attributed the trend to several factors, including distrust in the electoral process, logistical challenges, insecurity and negative perceptions about whether votes truly count.