From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday unveiled the draft INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2026 to leaders of political parties at a consultative meeting in Abuja, as part of efforts to reinforce Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, in his opening remarks, described the engagement as a gathering of “joint custodians of Nigeria’s democratic future,” stressing that credible elections are built on strong institutional frameworks established well before polling day.
He disclosed that the draft guidelines emerged from a rigorous technical retreat undertaken by the Commission to review and reconstruct the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines in line with recent legal and operational developments.
“We meet today not merely as regulators and political actors, but as joint custodians of Nigeria’s democratic future. We cannot navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map,” Amupitan said.
According to him, the proposed regulations were developed pursuant to powers granted to INEC by the Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2026, representing a comprehensive overhaul of the existing framework to ensure alignment with current legal provisions.
Drawing attention to Section 93(2) of the Electoral Act, the INEC boss noted that the Commission is mandated to determine election expenses for political parties in consultation with stakeholders, urging party leaders to critically examine Clause 40(4) and (5) of the draft, which deal with financial regulations for party primaries and election conduct.
Amupitan further highlighted the tight electoral calendar, noting that Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Assembly polls will hold on February 6, 2027.
He emphasised that the compressed statutory timeline requires what he described as “surgical precision” in planning and execution to guarantee smooth electoral operations.
The draft guidelines cover key aspects of political party administration, including registration and mergers, internal operations, conduct of primaries, campaign activities, political finance, and procedures for deregistration.
Notably, the framework introduces measurable benchmarks aimed at improving the participation of women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), reflecting a commitment to inclusivity in the democratic process.
In his response, National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Dantalle, commended INEC for initiating a consultative process, describing it as crucial for developing a workable and realistic regulatory framework.
He stated that political parties are ready to engage constructively with the draft, while identifying areas that require further clarification, particularly the need for flexibility in conducting party primaries, which he described as internal party matters.
On membership registration, Dantalle pointed to practical challenges faced by parties in compiling comprehensive registers within stipulated timelines and called for provisions that balance inclusivity with accountability.
He also underscored the importance of transparency in result management, expressing support for technological innovations introduced by INEC, while urging the Commission to provide unambiguous guidelines on the electronic transmission of election results.
The IPAC chairman further reiterated the council’s longstanding call for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to strengthen enforcement against vote-buying and other electoral malpractices, noting that the new regulations could help reinforce accountability mechanisms in the interim.
In his closing remarks, Amupitan expressed appreciation to party leaders for their contributions and assured stakeholders that all submissions would be carefully reviewed before the finalisation of the document.
“This is precisely why we convened this meeting,” he said. “Your insights and experiences are invaluable in shaping a regulatory framework that works for all stakeholders.”
INEC is expected to incorporate feedback from the consultative meeting into the final version of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2026, which will be officially released ahead of the 2027 general elections.
