…Says release of timetable/schedule of activities for general election will comply with Constitution
By Lateef Ibrahim Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will soon announce names of political associations that have successfully met conditions for registration as political parties, the Chairman of the commission, Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has said.
Prof Amupitan, SAN, disclosed this on Wednesday in his address at the first quarterly consultative meeting with the civil society Organizations at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The INEC Chairman also assured political parties and the Nigerian public that the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election will be released in full compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Electoral Act, 2022 soon.
Prof Amupitan however urged members of the CSOs and others to help in urging the National Assembly to expedite action on the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act.
On the issue of the announcement of the new political parties, the INEC has said, “You will recall that the Commission received a total of 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.
“The associations were assessed in line with Section 222 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 79(1), (2) and (4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as Clause 2 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.
“Several of the Associations were unable to fulfil the constitutional requirements and the requirements of the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
“The successful association(s) will soon be announced by the Commission”, he assured.
Commenting on the issue of the 2027 general election, the INEC Chairman said, “Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 empowers the Commission to issue a notice of election not later than 360 days before the date of the poll.
“While the National Assembly is currently working on amendments to the Electoral Act, the Commission has made its submission as required.
“We are mindful of the growing public interest and anticipation surrounding the release of the timetable and wish to assure political parties and the Nigerian public that the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election will be released in full compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Electoral Act, 2022.
“Having said that, we seek your support in urging the National Assembly to expedite action on the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act”, he said.
Amupitan pledged, however, that the commission will remain vigilant and proactive, stressing that INEC is preparing for a seamless electoral process that embodies the ideals of democracy, justice, and inclusivity.
His words, “As we look towards the 2027 General Elections, it is imperative that we remain vigilant and proactive.
“We must prepare for a seamless electoral process that embodies the ideals of democracy, justice, and inclusivity.
“This is a collective responsibility, and each one of you plays a vital role in fostering democracy in Nigeria.
“On a final note, we deeply acknowledge the work that you do, and our doors are open for more engagements”, he said.
Commenting on the issue of Voter Revalidation Exercise, the INEC Chairman said, “A credible register of voters remains the bedrock of free, fair and transparent elections.
“No electoral process can command public confidence without trust in the integrity of its voters’ register. Nigeria’s national register, first compiled ahead of the 2011 General Election, has since been continuously updated and deployed in the General Elections of 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023, as well as in several off-cycle governorship and bye-elections.
“As of the 2023 General Election, the register stood at 93,469,008 voters. However, persistent challenges —including duplicate registrations, under-age registration, registration by non-citizens, deceased voters and incomplete or inaccurate records— continue to generate legitimate concerns.
‘Such anomalies undermine public confidence in the electoral process. In response, the Commission will embark on a thorough clean-up with a view to further sanitising and strengthening the integrity of the register.
“Accordingly, the Commission will be embarking on a nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise ahead of the 2027 General Election”, he stated.
