The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has advocated an amendment to the Electoral Act to make it mandatory for political parties to conclude their primary elections at least one year before general elections.

Amupitan said the proposed amendment would provide political parties with ample time to resolve disputes arising from candidate nominations, significantly reducing election-related litigation.

According to a statement posted on INEC’s official X handle on Tuesday, the INEC chairman made the recommendation while delivering the keynote address at the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023) in Abuja.

He explained that settling disputes from party primaries well ahead of elections would enable the electoral commission to concentrate on its constitutional responsibility of conducting free, fair and credible elections, rather than dealing with conflicts generated by political parties.

Amupitan noted that the majority of election-related court cases originate from controversies surrounding party primaries rather than the actual conduct of elections.

“Most election-related legal disputes begin long before Nigerians cast their votes. If political parties conclude their primaries early and conduct them in a transparent, credible and inclusive manner, it will go a long way in reducing unnecessary litigation,” he said.

He stressed that political parties could strengthen Nigeria’s democracy by respecting their constitutions, adhering to internal rules and giving members a genuine opportunity to choose their candidates through transparent and democratic processes.

The INEC chairman warned that the imposition of candidates, lack of transparency during party primaries and disregard for party guidelines continue to fuel avoidable pre-election litigation, erode public confidence and undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.

“Strengthening internal democracy within political parties is as important as strengthening the nation’s electoral institutions,” Amupitan said, adding that credible elections begin with a credible and transparent candidate selection process.

He also called for constitutional and electoral reforms that would grant INEC greater financial autonomy to enable it to effectively carry out its constitutional mandate.

Although the Constitution places INEC’s funding on the first-line charge, Amupitan observed that the commission still operates under the annual budget cycle, a system he said limits its operational efficiency.

To address the challenge, he proposed that INEC receive its funding directly from the Federation Account, a move he said would allow the commission to conduct voter registration, regulate political parties and organize elections without unnecessary administrative delays.