The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a comprehensive technical review of its Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties to align with the newly assented Electoral Act 2026 and evolving electoral realities.
In a statement issued by Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, the exercise convened under the leadership of the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN marks a critical phase in the Commission’s reform agenda aimed at strengthening political party oversight, improving compliance, reducing pre-election disputes, and enhancing public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The Technical Workshop on the Revision of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties is bringing together National Commissioners, Directors from operational departments, legal experts, election administrators, and institutional stakeholders to conduct a clause-by-clause review of the existing 2022 framework.
The Electoral Act 2026 introduces significant legal and operational changes affecting party administration, candidate nomination processes, compliance obligations, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the Commission’s regulatory mandate. INEC said the review of its subsidiary regulations is intended to ensure full legal alignment and operational clarity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Commission noted that lessons from previous elections are also informing the process. Recurring challenges including opaque party primaries, membership disputes, weak financial disclosure practices, and exclusionary participation patterns have contributed to avoidable litigation and electoral uncertainty.
Addressing these issues early, INEC said, is central to its preparations for 2027.
To support evidence based reforms, the Commission is incorporating findings from the Political Party Performance Index (PPPI), a diagnostic tool designed to identify systemic weaknesses in party governance and compliance practices nationwide. The aim is to shift regulatory oversight from reactive enforcement to proactive supervision based on measurable standards.
Speaking on the reform process, the INEC Chairman emphasised that credible elections begin well before polling day.
“For elections to inspire public confidence, the institutions that produce candidates must themselves operate transparently and within the law,” he said.
The workshop is also expected to develop strengthened compliance mechanisms, clearer reporting obligations, and operational guidance for monitoring political party activities across the country.
Particular focus is being placed on financial accountability, dispute prevention, accurate membership documentation, and measurable benchmarks for the participation of women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities within party structures.
Technical facilitation support is being provided by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), alongside Nigerian legal and electoral experts, offering comparative insights to support the Commission’s reform objectives.
Commenting on the engagement, WFD Nigeria Country Director, Adebowale Olorunmola, described the initiative as a significant step towards strengthening party regulation ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
“This isn’t just a review of a document; it is a reconstruction of the 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 stated that early alignment of party regulations with the Electoral Act 2026 would help reduce pre-election litigation and administrative disputes that often distract from election planning and delivery.
At the conclusion of the exercise, a consolidated draft of the Revised Regulations and Guidelines (2026 Edition) will undergo internal validation before further engagement with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and all registered political parties as part of implementation consultations.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to continuous electoral reform and to strengthening political parties as democratic institutions capable of producing credible leadership choices for Nigerians.
