The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has conducted a two-day refresher training workshop for political party officials on the use of its Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP), aimed at improving the efficiency and accuracy of the nomination process.
Held on Wednesday at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, the training brought together representatives from registered political parties, including those previously trained ahead of the 2023 general elections. The workshop focused on strengthening the capacity of party officials and minimizing common procedural errors during candidate nominations.
In her welcome remarks, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, INEC National Commissioner and Chairperson of the Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints Committee, underscored the critical role of timely and accurate candidate nominations.
“Nominating candidates is not only a legal requirement under Section 29 of the Electoral Act, 2022, but also the foundation on which credible elections are built,” she said.
She noted that while the ICNP has improved compliance and reduced paperwork, challenges remain — including incomplete form submissions, improper document uploads, and frequent staff turnover within parties.
“This training is designed to close those gaps and ensure that both experienced and newly assigned officials are fully equipped for a smooth nomination process,” she added.
INEC’s Assistant Director of Legal Drafting and Clearance, Samuel Omale, explained that the workshop was more than a routine training — it was a strategic intervention ahead of the upcoming bye-elections and FCT Area Council elections.
He emphasized that the session aimed to reinforce understanding of the nomination guidelines outlined in the Electoral Act, while offering hands-on demonstrations on the proper use of the ICNP.
Omale added that the workshop also encouraged open dialogue between INEC and party representatives, allowing participants to raise questions, seek clarifications, and align more closely with INEC’s internal procedures.
He expressed confidence that the training would lead to improved submissions, greater accuracy, and a more collaborative working relationship between INEC and political parties.
“Ultimately, this is about reducing errors and building trust in the nomination process,” he stated.
To enhance engagement, participants were split into two groups for interactive and practical sessions. INEC’s Legal and ICT Departments facilitated the training and will continue to offer support going forward.
Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu concluded by urging party officials to make full use of the training, stressing that “our collective preparedness directly impacts the success of the entire electoral process.”
The initiative highlights INEC’s ongoing commitment to leveraging technology to strengthen electoral integrity, enhance compliance, and support political stakeholders in achieving credible and inclusive elections.
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