The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed plans to put mechanisms in place to sanitise political party primaries and end the era of opaque processes that impose unpopular candidates, fuel voter apathy, and trigger a deluge of avoidable litigation.

The Chairman of the Commission, Joash Ojo Amupitan, revealed the plan in his remarks at the commission’s meeting with the leadership of political parties in Abuja on Tuesday.

Giving an update on political party operations, Amupitan said: “Clear guidelines have been instituted to govern the day-to-day functioning of political parties, ensuring compliance with our laws and promoting accountability.”

“This aims at sanitising party primaries, which intends to end the era of opaque processes that impose unpopular candidates, fueling voter apathy and a deluge of avoidable litigation,” he noted.

The electoral umpire, who also shed light on the conduct of political primaries, rallies, processions, and campaigns, said: “We recognise the critical role of primary elections in our political system. Thus, we have outlined procedures that uphold fairness and transparency within political parties.”

“Regulations have been put in place to ensure that campaign activities are conducted peacefully and respect the rights and dignity of all citizens,” he said.

On finances and election expenses, the former university don said: “We have established clear standards regarding the financing of political activities, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability in managing party funds and campaign expenses.”

Raising concerns over the possible deregistration of political parties, Amupitan said: “We have also included provisions that define the circumstances under which a political party may be deregistered, ensuring that the process is just and equitable.”

“We have also embedded measurable benchmarks for the participation of women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). By sharpening these rules, we are protecting the sovereign will of the Nigerian people from the point of nomination to the final declaration of results.

“As we move forward, I further urge each of you to engage with these regulations constructively. This is an opportunity for us to create an electoral environment that not only reflects the aspirations of our people but also serves as a testament to our collective commitment to democratic governance,” he said.

The electoral umpire, providing further clarification, said, “The newly drafted regulations encompass crucial areas that are central to the operations of political parties in our democratic framework, including:

“On registration and merger of political parties, we have streamlined the process to ensure that it is more accessible while maintaining a robust framework that upholds democratic principles,” he said. (The Sun)