The Independent National Electoral Commission has commenced a comprehensive review of its Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the commission said the review was convened in Abuja under the leadership of its Chairman, Joash Amupitan, describing it as a key step in its ongoing electoral reform efforts.
According to INEC, the exercise is designed to strengthen oversight of political parties, enhance compliance with electoral laws, reduce pre-election disputes and ultimately restore public confidence in the democratic process. Central to the review is aligning existing party regulations with the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026 while addressing emerging realities in Nigeria’s electoral landscape.
The technical workshop brings together national commissioners, directors from various operational departments, legal experts, election administrators and other stakeholders. Participants are conducting a clause-by-clause assessment of the 2022 regulatory framework guiding political parties.
INEC noted that the Electoral Act 2026 introduces significant legal and operational changes affecting party administration, candidate nominations, compliance requirements, dispute resolution mechanisms and the commission’s regulatory powers. Updating the subsidiary regulations, it said, would provide clearer guidance ahead of the next election cycle.
The commission also said it is drawing lessons from past elections, pointing to recurring issues such as lack of transparency in party primaries, membership disputes, inadequate financial disclosures and exclusionary practices. These challenges, it observed, have often triggered avoidable litigation and political uncertainty.
To support the reform process, INEC is leveraging insights from its Political Party Performance Index — a diagnostic tool that identifies systemic weaknesses in party governance and compliance nationwide. The goal, the commission explained, is to move from reactive enforcement to proactive supervision based on measurable standards.
“For elections to inspire public confidence, the institutions that produce candidates must themselves operate transparently and within the law,” Amupitan said.
The review will also prioritise financial accountability, dispute prevention, proper membership documentation and the establishment of measurable benchmarks to promote the participation of women, youth and persons with disabilities within party structures.
Technical assistance for the initiative is being provided by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, alongside Nigerian legal and electoral experts. The Country Director of WFD Nigeria, Adebowale Olorunmola, described the exercise as a rebuilding of Nigeria’s democratic foundation.
“We are moving toward an era where political parties are held to the same high standards of integrity as the electoral commission itself,” he said.
INEC disclosed that the process will result in a consolidated draft of the Revised Regulations and Guidelines (2026 Edition). The draft will undergo internal validation before being presented to the Inter-Party Advisory Council and all registered political parties for further engagement.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to continuous electoral reforms, stressing that strong, accountable political parties are essential to producing credible leadership and deepening Nigeria’s democracy ahead of 2027.
Advertisement
