The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the Inter- Party Advisory Council, IPAC have agreed that credible, transparent and technology-driven elections are essential to restoring citizens’ trust and curbing voter apathy which worsened after the 2023 general polls.
The meeting which held at the INEC headquarters, marked the first official engagement of the Acting Chairman of INEC, May Agbamuche-Mbu since assuming the leadership of the Commission following the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
In her maiden address, Agbamuche-Mbu pledged to sustain the reforms of her predecessor while steering INEC toward greater transparency, inclusivity, and institutional strength.
Agbamuche-Mbu reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness for upcoming polls, including the FCT Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, Ekiti governorship election, scheduled for June 20, 2026 and the Osun governorship election coming up in August 8, 2026. She described the elections as vital and stepping stones to a stronger 2027 general elections.
The Acting Chairman also disclosed that the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR exercise, which resumed nationwide in August, has recorded impressive participation.
She announced that 14 new political associations have met the requirements to advance to the final registration stage, out of the 171 applications received.
In his response, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Yusuf Dantalle congratulated Agbamuche-Mbu on her appointment but warned that citizens expectations are very high and the Commission must justify the confidence reposed in it.
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IPAC revealed it has made far-reaching reform proposals to the National Assembly Committees on Constitutional and Electoral Review, including, abolition of State Independent Electoral Commissions and transfer of local government election responsibilities to INEC; Reservation of special seats for women, youth, and persons with disabilities; restoration of public funding for Political Parties to ensure a level playing field, Creation of an Electoral Offences Commission to prosecute election violators and removal of the President’s power to appoint INEC Chairman and Commissioners to guarantee institutional independence.
Dantalle emphasised that the November 8 Anambra Governorship Election would serve as the litmus test of INEC’s capacity under new leadership.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
