Prof. Joash Amupitan, a representative for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has proposed revising the Electoral Act. The amendment would mandate that political parties finalize their internal primaries a minimum of one year ahead of national elections. Amupitan noted that this shift would provide parties ample duration to settle nomination conflicts, ultimately decreasing the volume of lawsuits tied to the election process.
Speaking at an event in Abuja regarding a new book, Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023), Amupitan emphasized that resolving these disputes early would allow INEC to prioritize conducting fair elections instead of managing party-level grievances. He observed that a significant portion of election litigation originates from internal party strife rather than the voting process itself.
The INEC official urged parties to uphold their internal rules and foster transparent selection processes to strengthen democratic foundations. He warned that practices like candidate imposition and ignoring party bylaws damage public trust and generate unnecessary judicial burdens. Furthermore, Amupitan called for enhanced financial autonomy for INEC, suggesting that funding should flow directly from the Federation Account to bypass the constraints of the traditional annual budget system, thereby preventing operational delays.
