The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a comprehensive review of its Regulations and Guidelines for political parties as part of preparations for the 2027 General Election, moving to fully align its framework with the newly assented Electoral Act 2026.
The reform process, convened under the leadership of the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, represents a critical step in strengthening electoral integrity, enhancing political party oversight, and reducing pre-election disputes that have historically complicated Nigeria’s electoral cycles.
At the heart of the exercise is a technical workshop bringing together National Commissioners, Directors across operational departments, legal experts, election administrators and key institutional stakeholders, reports Daily Independent.
The session is undertaking a clause-by-clause review of the existing 2022 Regulations and Guidelines to ensure full legal and operational compliance with the Electoral Act 2026.
INEC said the new Act introduces significant legal and procedural changes affecting party administration, candidate nomination processes, compliance obligations, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the Commission’s regulatory mandate. Aligning subsidiary regulations early, the Commission noted, will provide clarity for political parties well ahead of the 2027 polls.
Beyond statutory compliance, the review also reflects lessons drawn from recent elections. Persistent challenges such as opaque party primaries, protracted membership disputes, weak financial disclosure practices, and exclusionary participation patterns have contributed to avoidable litigation and electoral uncertainty.
The Commission is seeking to address these gaps proactively rather than reactively.
To strengthen evidence-based oversight, INEC is incorporating findings from its Political Party Performance Index (PPPI), a diagnostic tool designed to identify systemic weaknesses in party governance and compliance practices.
The aim is to move toward measurable standards that promote internal democracy, transparency, and accountability within party structures.
Speaking on the reform initiative, 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 stated.
The revised framework is also expected to introduce clearer reporting obligations, strengthened compliance mechanisms, and operational guidance for monitoring political party activities nationwide.
Particular attention is being given to 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 review is being provided by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), alongside Nigerian legal and electoral experts offering comparative insights to support institutional reform.
Commenting on the engagement, WFD Nigeria Country Director, Adebowale Olorunmola, described the initiative as a significant step toward deepening regulatory standards ahead of 2027.
“This is not merely a document review; it is a strengthening of democratic foundations. Anchoring reforms on empirical evidence will help reduce avoidable disputes and promote greater transparency and internal democracy within political parties,” he said.
INEC further noted that early alignment of party regulations with the Electoral Act 2026 would significantly reduce administrative conflicts and pre-election litigation, allowing the Commission to focus squarely on election preparation and delivery.
Following the technical review, a consolidated draft of the Revised Regulations and Guidelines (2026 Edition) will undergo internal validation before wider consultations with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and all registered political parties.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to continuous electoral reform and to ensuring that political parties remain strong democratic institutions capable of producing credible leadership choices for Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election.
