The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Tuesday, unveiled a revised draft of its 2026 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, seeking the input of political parties to strengthen the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a consultative meeting with political party leaders in Abuja, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the new regulations were designed to align with the Electoral Act 2026 and address gaps identified in previous frameworks.
He stressed that credible elections begin long before voting day, emphasising the importance of transparency in candidate selection processes.
“We gather not only to discuss the newly drafted INEC Regulation and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2026, but also to reaffirm our collective commitment to enhancing the democratic process in Nigeria.
“Credible elections begin long before polling day; they begin in the transparency of the processes that produce the candidates,” he said.
Amupitan explained that the revised guidelines followed a comprehensive review of the 2022 regulations and were informed by empirical findings, including the Political Party Performance Index developed with support from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.
He noted that the review exposed a “disturbing gap between party constitutions and grassroots realities.”
He added that the new framework introduces reforms across key areas such as party registration and mergers, internal operations, conduct of primaries, campaign activities, financial transparency, and conditions for deregistration. According to him, the measures are aimed at curbing irregularities, particularly in party primaries.
“These guidelines aim to sanitise party primaries and end opaque processes that impose unpopular candidates, fuelling voter apathy and avoidable litigation,” he said.
The INEC chairman also highlighted provisions on campaign finance, noting that the Electoral Act 2026 empowers the commission to determine election expenses in consultation with political parties. He urged stakeholders to pay close attention to clauses relating to funding and expenditure.
With the 2027 general elections scheduled for January 16, for presidential and National Assembly polls, and February 6, for governorship and state assemblies, Amupitan warned that the commission is operating within a compressed timeline.
“We are operating within a compressed timetable, which demands what I call surgical precision,” he noted.
He further disclosed that the draft regulations incorporate measurable benchmarks to boost the participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Urging constructive engagement, he asked political parties to view the regulations as safeguards rather than restrictions.
“By sharpening these rules, we are protecting the sovereign will of the Nigerian people from nomination to the final declaration of results,” he said.
Reaffirming INEC’s neutrality, he added, “INEC remains a neutral umpire, but we are no longer passive observers to the erosion of democratic values,” he added.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Dr Yusuf Dantalle, raised concerns over provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, warning that unresolved issues could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
“Critical issues, if not urgently addressed, could jeopardise the success of the 2027 General Election,” he said.
Dantalle described the law as falling short of public expectations, arguing that it represents a setback to Nigeria’s democratic progress.
“Rather than advancing our democratic journey, it represents a significant regression,” he stated,
He noted that Nigerians had anticipated a more inclusive and people-oriented framework, while he criticised provisions he said place undue pressure on political parties, particularly those outside government, and called for a review of the mandatory direct primaries.
“The choice of candidate selection methods remains an internal affair of political parties,” he said.
Urging the National Assembly to restore indirect primaries as an option.
The IPAC chairman further described as impractical and exclusionary, the requirement for parties to submit membership registers, including National Identification Numbers, within a limited timeframe.
He also called for mandatory electronic transmission of election results, warning against a repeat of past lapses.
“This is a fundamental demand of the Nigerian people,” he added.
Dantalle emphasised the need for stronger measures against electoral malpractice, including the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission, while urging stakeholders to rebuild public trust in the system.
“The credibility of the Commission is at stake, and public confidence hinges on the assurance that every vote will count,” he said.
He added that the international community would be closely watching Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
