In a decisive move to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 General Election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a comprehensive technical review of its Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties to align them with the newly assented Electoral Act 2026 and evolving electoral realities.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary / Media Adviser to the 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 culture, 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 brings together National Commissioners, Directors across operational departments, legal experts, election administrators, and institutional stakeholders to undertake a detailed clause-by-clause review of the existing 2022 framework.
INEC said the recently enacted Electoral Act 2026 introduces significant legal and operational changes affecting political party administration, candidate nomination processes, compliance obligations, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the Commission’s regulatory mandate. Consequently, the Commission is reviewing its subsidiary regulations to ensure full legal alignment and operational clarity well ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Beyond legal compliance, the Commission is drawing lessons from previous elections to strengthen preventive regulation. Persistent challenges such as opaque party primaries, membership disputes, weak financial disclosure practices, and exclusionary participation patterns have contributed to avoidable litigation and electoral uncertainty. Addressing these gaps early, the Commission noted, remains central to preparations for 2027.
To support evidence-based reforms, INEC is mainstreaming findings from the Political Party Performance Index (PPPI), a diagnostic assessment tool designed to identify systemic weaknesses in party governance and compliance practices nationwide. The objective is to shift regulatory oversight from reactive enforcement to proactive supervision anchored on measurable standards.
Speaking on the reform process, the Chairman emphasised that credible elections begin long 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 for aspects of the process is being provided by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), alongside Nigerian legal and electoral experts, offering comparative insights to support the Commission’s institutional reform objectives.
Commenting on the engagement, the Country Director of WFD Nigeria, Adebowale Olorunmola, described the initiative as a significant step toward strengthening political party regulation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“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.
He added that anchoring reforms on empirical evidence, including insights from the PPPI, would help deepen compliance, reduce avoidable disputes, and promote transparency, inclusivity, and internal democracy within political parties.
INEC further noted that aligning party regulations early with the Electoral Act 2026 would significantly reduce pre-election litigation and administrative disputes that often divert attention from election preparation and delivery.
At the conclusion of the exercise, a consolidated draft of the Revised Regulations and Guidelines (2026 Edition) will undergo internal validation before engagement with the Inter-Party Advisory Council and all registered political parties as part of broader implementation consultations.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to continuous electoral reform and ensuring that political parties remain strong democratic institutions capable of producing credible leadership choices for Nigerians.
