• Super Admin
• 08 Mar, 2026

Political stakeholders, including the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), have sounded the alarm over Nigeria's newly signed Electoral Act 2026, warning that certain provisions of the law could disenfranchise millions of citizens, weaken electoral integrity, and even trigger a boycott of the 2027 general elections. Central to IPAC's concerns is the requirement that all political party members must possess and upload their National Identification Number (NIN) during registration -- a move the council says risks excluding large segments of the population, particularly those in rural and underserved areas. According to IPAC, "The requirement that members of political parties must possess and upload their National Identification Number (NIN) should be expunged. "This provision will disenfranchise a significant number of Nigerians who do not have access to the NIN system and constitutes a violation of their rights under Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights." Beyond the NIN requirement, IPAC has raised objections to several other sections of the law. Sections 77(4-7), which govern internal party nominations and candidate selection processes, are described by the council as potentially restrictive of intra-party democracy. Additionally, the council highlighted gaps in the law's approach to electoral malpractice, calling for stronger penalties for vote buying and the restoration of forged academic certificates as valid grounds for election petitions. IPAC argued that these measures were crucial to ensuring credible and transparent elections. International attention and advocacy IPAC's spokesperson, Dantalle, emphasized that the council intends to raise its concerns not only domestically but also with the international community. "In the present circumstances, IPAC cannot fold its arms. The time to act is now. Accordingly, IPAC has resolved to draw the attention of Nigerians and the international community including the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), ECOWAS, the US and UK embassies, and Nigerians in the diaspora to these concerns," he said. Observers noted that such international advocacy was rare in Nigerian electoral politics but reflects growing frustration among political actors over legal provisions perceived to be exclusionary. Analysts suggest that by seeking global attention, IPAC aims to pressure the National Assembly and the executive to reconsider sections of the law that could marginalise voters and smaller parties. Read also: Okutepa faults new Electoral Act, warns forged certificate cases may escape election Threat of election boycott IPAC has warned that failure by lawmakers to amend the controversial sections could lead to a mass boycott of the 2027 general election. "Should the National Assembly fail to address these anomalies through urgent amendments to the Act, political parties under the umbrella of IPAC will be compelled to boycott the 2027 general election. "In such circumstances, the outcome of the elections will be rejected as illegitimate and will not be recognised by the political parties," Dantalle stated. Such a boycott, political analysts told BusinessDay, could have profound implications for Nigeria's democracy. Beyond the immediate disruption to the electoral process, it could undermine public trust in government institutions, trigger political unrest, and attract heightened scrutiny from regional and global observers. The Electoral Act 2026 was signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following its passage by the National Assembly. The law was widely presented as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria's electoral framework, including efforts to streamline voter registration, regulate campaign financing, and improve the transparency and speed of election result announcements. However, the reaction from IPAC underscores the tension between reform and inclusion. While some observers hail the law as a step toward modernizing the electoral process, many Nigerians argue that the NIN requirement, coupled with other controversial sections, risks excluding millions of citizens from participating fully in the democratic process. Political analysts have also raised concerns about the law's potential impact on party politics. Smaller parties, which often struggle to meet administrative requirements, could be disproportionately affected, leaving the political landscape dominated by larger, well-resourced parties. Such an imbalance, critics argue, could stifle competition and reduce voters' choices. Attention on NASS As the countdown to the 2027 elections continues, attention now turns to the National Assembly and whether lawmakers will heed IPAC's warnings. Amendments could be made through legislative review or executive intervention, but time is running short. IPAC's insistence on raising both domestic and international awareness signals that the council is prepared to mobilise extensive support to ensure that elections remain inclusive and credible. For ordinary Nigerians, the unfolding debate highlights the challenges of balancing electoral reform with equitable access to voting. With millions still lacking NIN and other structural barriers persisting, the stakes are high. "Electoral laws must not only be credible on paper they must be accessible in practice. Otherwise, the legitimacy of the entire democratic process is at risk. This insertion is to limit the number of Nigerians who take part in the electoral process and it is unconstitutional," Taiye Ogunwale, political analyst, told BusinessDay. The analyst wondered why the lawmakers would include such clause in the Electoral Act, when it is obvious that many Nigerians can't access NIN, especially those in rural areas. Other analysts say how the lawmakers respond to these warnings would be crucial in the coming weeks. "It is important that the country reconcile the need for modern electoral frameworks with the fundamental rights of its citizens to participate in the democratic process," a lawyer who did not want his name in print said. Source: https://businessday.ng/life/article/electoral-act-sparks-controversy-stakeholders-warn-nin-rule-other-provisions-could-undermine-2027-election/