Electoral Act 2026 limits court interference in party affairs- Amupitan
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a crucial three-day technical workshop in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, to review its 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties in line with the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026.
The workshop, scheduled to run from March 4 to March 6, 2026, marks the Commission’s first formal engagement aimed at harmonising its regulatory framework with the provisions of the new law signed in February 2026.
Participants at the workshop include National Commissioners, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, aides to the INEC Chairman, directors of key departments, and development partners.
Delivering the keynote address, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, described the exercise as a legislative and operational realignment necessitated by the compressed timelines introduced by the Electoral Act 2026.
He announced that under the new statutory adjustments, presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
According to Amupitan, the Commission is moving beyond the 2022 framework to “sanitise party operations” and incorporate findings from the Political Party Performance Index (PPPI), a diagnostic tool designed to bridge the gap between party constitutions and grassroots realities.
He warned that poor internal democracy—particularly flawed party primaries—poses a serious threat to electoral integrity.
“If unpopular candidates are imposed through opaque processes, we risk voter apathy and an explosion of pre-election litigation,” he said.
The INEC Chairman further disclosed that the 2026 Guidelines will introduce stricter benchmarks for membership documentation, financial transparency, and the inclusion of women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Amupitan also expressed concern over the growing trend of leadership disputes within political parties, many of which escalate into prolonged court battles.
He noted that Sections 83(5) and (6) of the Electoral Act 2026 reinforce the principle established in Onuoha v. Okafor by limiting judicial interference in internal party matters.
According to him, reducing intra-party conflicts and strengthening internal dispute resolution mechanisms will enable the Commission to focus more effectively on its core mandate of election management, rather than defending avoidable litigation.
