IPAC warns parties may boycott polls over new electoral law
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has raised concerns about the recently enacted Electoral Act 2026, warning that political parties might boycott the 2027 general elections if controversial sections are not amended. IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, criticised the law for undermining internal party democracy and potentially disenfranchising millions of Nigerians. The council specifically objected to the exclusion of indirect primaries, removal of mandatory electronic transmission of results, and the requirement for party members to upload their National Identification Number. President Bola Tinubu signed the new act into law at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
What we know
- IPAC warned that political parties may boycott the 2027 general elections if the Electoral Act 2026 is not urgently amended.
- The council criticised Section 84(2) of the Act, which excludes indirect primaries, calling it a violation of parties’ constitutional rights.
- IPAC objected to the removal of mandatory electronic transmission of election results, linking its absence to controversies in the 2023 presidential election.
- The requirement for party members to upload their National Identification Number was flagged as potentially disenfranchising millions of Nigerians.
- IPAC threatened to escalate the issue to the international community if the National Assembly does not address their concerns.
