The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has criticised the newly released 2026 regulations and guidelines for political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing them as overregulated, impracticable and insufficient to guarantee credible elections ahead of 2027.

The group said although the guidelines reflect some reform efforts, they fall short of the structural changes required to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.

The MCE in a statement issued on Wednesday, and signed by its head of national secretariat, Comrade Olawale Okunniyi, acknowledged INEC’s intention to enhance transparency, particularly in the conduct of party primaries, but argued that “good intentions cannot substitute for sound policy design.”

It noted that the framework is overly bureaucratic and silent on critical elements of electoral credibility.

The group warned that the guidelines represent an expansion of regulatory control into the internal affairs of political parties, which could undermine the constitutional right to freedom of association and weaken internal party democracy.

Aligning with concerns raised by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), MCE said restrictive provisions around primary elections could trigger disputes, weaken party structures, and alienate grassroots participants.

MCE also faulted the requirement for political parties to submit comprehensive membership registers, including National Identification Numbers (NINs), within a short timeframe, describing it as unrealistic and exclusionary.

According to the group, millions of Nigerians remain outside the national identity database, and such provisions could disenfranchise legitimate party members while disproportionately affecting smaller political parties.

“This is not reform, it is a systemic exclusion disguised as electoral reform,” the statement said.

The group raised concerns over INEC’s admission of operating within a compressed timetable, warning that rushed processes could lead to errors, disputes, and litigation, thereby undermining electoral credibility.

It also described as “most alarming” the lack of clear provisions mandating electronic transmission of election results, a key demand by many Nigerians in recent electoral cycles.

MCE argued that any framework that fails to guarantee real-time, transparent, and verifiable transmission of results cannot rebuild public trust in the electoral process.

The group further criticised the guidelines for lacking strong enforcement mechanisms, warning that without accountability, electoral rules risk being routinely violated without consequence.

It reiterated calls for the establishment of an independent electoral offences commission to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes.

On voter participation, MCE said rising apathy reflects deep distrust in the system rather than mere voter behaviour, adding that the guidelines fail to provide a clear pathway to reverse the trend.

“Nigerians will not participate in elections unless they are convinced that their votes will count,” the group stated.

MCE urged INEC to review the guidelines and adopt measures including mandatory electronic transmission of results, flexible compliance requirements, extended timelines, and stronger enforcement frameworks.

It also called for improved voter education, enhanced election-day logistics, and greater stakeholder engagement to restore public confidence.

The group warned that failure to implement substantive reforms could deepen electoral distrust and threaten Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

“Nigeria stands at a critical democratic crossroads. The credibility of the 2027 general elections will not be determined by the volume of regulations issued, but by the integrity, transparency, and inclusiveness of the process,” the statement added. (Guardian)