The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that a wave of recent court rulings concerning its 2027 General Election timetable could derail preparations for the polls, insisting that urgent clarity from appellate courts is required to avert a crisis.
The Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, voiced these concerns during the electoral body’s second quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties held in Abuja.
While affirming the Commission’s respect for the judiciary, Prof. Amupitan noted that the conflicting judgments have birthed significant legal uncertainties regarding the scope of INEC’s constitutional and statutory mandate to regulate electoral processes.
He emphasized that the activities outlined in the commission’s schedule are not isolated events but are deeply interconnected operational phases, all designed to ensure the integrity, transparency, and seamless execution of the general elections.
“The sanctity of our timetable is paramount,” the Chairman stated, warning that any disruption to these established processes could jeopardize the overall success of the 2027 exercise.
At the same forum, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, addressed the internal bottlenecks currently plaguing political parties.
Dr. Dantalle observed that the exclusion of indirect primaries from the nation’s current electoral framework has been a major driver of disputes and administrative gridlock during the recently concluded primary elections.
He charged political parties to uphold decorum as campaign activities gain momentum, while also tasking the National Assembly with an urgent intervention.
“We urge the National Assembly to revisit the Electoral Act 2026,” Dr. Dantalle said, advocating for the restoration of flexibility in the conduct of party primaries to foster stronger internal democracy across the political landscape.
