The Inter Party Advisory Council has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to act with caution in handling the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress and its proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise. IPAC said recent steps taken by the commission risk deepening tension and raising doubts about its neutrality ahead of the 2027 elections.
IPAC expressed concern over INEC’s decision to freeze recognition of the Senator David Mark led National Working Committee of the ADC while court cases on the party’s leadership are still pending. It noted that even where internal leadership is being contested, this does not mean there is a vacuum, and warned that removing names of party leaders from INEC’s portal at this stage appears premature.
The council warned that such actions could set a troubling precedent and create avoidable instability in the party system if not carefully managed. It appealed to INEC to adhere strictly to due process, show restraint and avoid decisions that might be interpreted as taking sides in internal party disputes.
On the reported plan for a nationwide voter revalidation exercise, IPAC acknowledged that updating the voter register is important for credible elections but faulted the timing. It said political parties and other stakeholders are already stretched by membership registration with NIN verification, party primaries and INEC’s compliance checks, and warned that adding a full revalidation exercise now could overwhelm the system.
IPAC echoed ADC’s earlier warning that revalidating voters less than a year to the next general election could disenfranchise millions who might struggle to return to registration centres within a short window. It urged INEC to reconsider the schedule, consult widely and ensure that any review of the register promotes inclusion rather than pushing more citizens out of the democratic process.
The council stressed that public confidence in INEC depends on the commission being seen as fair, transparent and non partisan in both party regulation and voter management. It called on the electoral body to carefully balance legal requirements, operational capacity and citizens’ rights as it navigates the ADC crisis and prepares for the 2027 polls.
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