Group Knocks INEC’s 2026 Election Guidelines, Warns of Threat to Multi-Party Democracy

By Abah Margaret

A civil society organisation, the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), has criticised the 2026 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing them as overregulated, impractical, and insufficient to guarantee credible elections ahead of 2027.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the group warned that key provisions in the guidelines could alienate grassroots voters, stifle smaller political parties, and worsen voter apathy across the country.

The statement, signed by the Head of its National Secretariat, Olawale Okunniyi, acknowledged INEC’s intent to improve transparency—particularly in party primaries—but argued that the framework fails to address deeper structural challenges affecting electoral integrity.

“The current guidelines are overly bureaucratic, operationally unrealistic, and dangerously silent on the most critical elements of electoral credibility,” the group stated.

MCE accused INEC of regulatory overreach, warning that attempts to rigidly control internal party processes could undermine freedom of association and weaken internal democracy within political parties.

The organisation also aligned with concerns raised by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), noting that restrictive provisions governing party primaries could spark disputes and disconnect grassroots participants from the democratic process.

It further faulted the requirement for political parties to submit detailed membership registers, including National Identification Numbers (NINs), within a limited timeframe, describing the measure as exclusionary.

“In a country where millions of eligible citizens remain outside the national identity database, such provisions risk disenfranchising legitimate party members and disproportionately disadvantaging smaller parties,” the statement added.

MCE also raised concerns over what it described as a compressed implementation timetable, warning that rushed processes could lead to errors, disputes, and litigation, thereby eroding public confidence.

The group expressed particular concern over INEC’s silence on the electronic transmission of election results, calling it a major gap in efforts to rebuild trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.

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

On enforcement, MCE noted the absence of clear mechanisms to address electoral offences, warning that without accountability, the guidelines risk being routinely violated. It reiterated calls for the establishment of an independent Electoral Offences Commission to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes.

Linking the issue to declining voter turnout, the group said widespread distrust in the electoral system continues to fuel voter apathy, adding that the guidelines do not provide a convincing roadmap to reverse the trend.

“Nigerians will not participate in elections unless they are convinced that their votes will count and will be protected,” it stressed.

MCE called on INEC to urgently review the guidelines, recommending mandatory electronic transmission of results, flexible compliance requirements, extended timelines, and broader stakeholder engagement.

It also urged the commission to adopt open data systems, strengthen voter education, improve election-day logistics, and ensure voter security.

Describing the moment as critical for Nigeria’s democracy, the group warned that the credibility of the 2027 general elections would depend on transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability—not the volume of regulations.