The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched a comprehensive technical review of its regulations for political parties to align with the recently assented Electoral Act 2026.
The Commission in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola said the move aims to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“The review targets long-standing issues such as opaque primary elections, weak financial disclosures, and exclusion of marginalized groups. The revised guidelines will introduce stricter benchmarks for participation of women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) within party structures.
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 noted.
The workshop will also develop strengthened compliance mechanisms, clearer reporting obligations, 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 process is being provided by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) alongside Nigerian legal and electoral experts, contributing comparative technical insights in support of the Commission’s institutional reform objectives.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, emphasized that credible elections begin long before polling day, stating, “For elections to inspire public confidence, the institutions that produce candidates must themselves operate transparently and within the law”. ² ³
The commission is leveraging insights from the Political Party Performance Index (PPPI) to inform reforms and shift oversight from reactive enforcement to proactive supervision. The revised regulations will undergo internal validation and consultations with stakeholders before implementation.
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