The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled a draft of revised Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, declaring that Nigeria cannot head into the 2027 General Election with an outdated framework, as it moves to strengthen electoral integrity and accountability.
Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed this on Tuesday, 24th March,2026 during a consultative meeting with political party leaders at the INEC Conference Room in Abuja. The meeting was convened to present the draft 2026 Regulations and solicit input from critical stakeholders in the electoral process.
Prof. Amupitan said the review followed a recent technical retreat by the Commission and was designed to align the 2022 regulations with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. Emphasising the urgency of reform, he noted that the Commission must adapt to the realities of new legal frameworks and tighter electoral timelines.
“We cannot navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map,” he said, stressing the need for a proactive and modern regulatory approach.
With the Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for January 16, 2027, and Governorship and State Assembly elections scheduled for February 6, 2027, the INEC Chairman highlighted the impact of compressed timelines under the new Electoral Act. He called for what he described as “surgical precision” from both the Commission and political parties.
He reiterated that credible elections begin with transparent candidate selection processes, noting that flaws in party primaries often undermine the entire electoral system.
The proposed regulations, he explained, address key aspects of party administration, including registration and mergers, internal operations, conduct of primaries, campaign activities, party financing, election expenses, and conditions for deregistration.
Particular emphasis, he said, was placed on Section 93(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which empowers INEC to determine election expenses for political parties in consultation with them. He urged political parties to carefully examine provisions relating to the funding of primaries and election conduct.
Prof. Amupitan further revealed that the review drew from findings of the Political Party Performance Index (PPPI), developed in collaboration with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. The index exposed gaps between party structures and grassroots realities, prompting the inclusion of measurable benchmarks in the draft to enhance participation by women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
“Our aim is to sanitise party primaries and end opaque processes that impose unpopular candidates, fuel voter apathy, and trigger avoidable litigation,” he said.
He reassured stakeholders that INEC remains a neutral umpire but would no longer remain passive in the face of declining democratic standards. He described the consultation as an opportunity for collective responsibility in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system.
Responding on behalf of political parties, National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, called for urgent amendments to the Electoral Act 2026, warning that some provisions could hinder preparations for the 2027 elections.
While affirming the commitment of political parties to credible polls, Dantalle criticised certain aspects of the law as burdensome, particularly for opposition parties. He opposed the mandatory direct primaries provision, insisting that political parties should retain the autonomy to determine their candidate selection processes.
He also faulted the requirement for submission of party membership registers, including members’ National Identification Numbers (NIN), within a limited timeframe, describing it as impractical and potentially exclusionary.
IPAC further advocated for the restoration of mandatory electronic transmission of election results to the IReV portal immediately after collation at polling units, stricter penalties for vote buying, and the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission.
“The prevailing trust deficit and voter apathy will persist unless decisive steps are taken to reform the current electoral framework,” Dantalle warned, adding that the global community is closely watching Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of 2027.
The consultative engagement marks a critical step in INEC’s efforts to build consensus, strengthen regulations, and ensure a more transparent and credible electoral process as the country prepares for the next general election cycle.
