The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has warned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against holding its planned national convention without the commission's oversight. Speaking in an interview aired on Arise TV on Friday, Amupitan stressed that political parties are required by law to notify and coordinate such major events with INEC, particularly when they involve the selection of party leadership and candidates. He emphasized that failure to comply could lead to regulatory consequences, though he did not specify what those might entail. The ADC had previously announced plans to convene its national delegates' congress, asserting its right to internal party democracy. However, INEC maintains that any convention that may influence candidate nomination for future elections must be conducted under its guidelines and supervision. Amupitan reiterated that the electoral timetable for the next general elections has not been officially released, and parties must align their activities accordingly. He urged all political parties to engage INEC formally before scheduling major political events. The ADC has yet to issue an official response to the warning. Legal provisions under the Electoral Act require parties to conduct primaries and conventions in accordance with INEC regulations, especially where such events determine who represents the party in elections. The commission has previously stepped in to suspend or annul party primaries it deemed non-compliant. With the next general elections approaching, INEC is tightening oversight of party activities to prevent disputes and ensure uniformity.
When Amupitan insists ADC cannot hold a convention without INEC's say, it signals tighter control over party internal democracy, not just process compliance. This isn't merely about timing — it's a reassertion of the commission's authority to shape how parties operate long before ballots are cast. If INEC can dictate when and how a party convenes, it holds leverage over political trajectories. That level of oversight could standardize order or quietly influence political outcomes.
