The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented its draft Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2026 to leaders of political parties, seeking stakeholder input ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The draft document was unveiled during a consultative meeting held in Abuja, where INEC emphasized the importance of early collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.
In his opening remarks, INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, described the meeting as a gathering of “joint custodians of Nigeria’s democratic future,” stressing that credible elections are built long before election day.
He disclosed that the Commission had undertaken a comprehensive technical review of the 2022 regulations, resulting in a revised framework aligned with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.“We cannot navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map,” Amupitan said, noting that the new draft represents a significant overhaul of existing guidelines.
The INEC chairman also highlighted the Commission’s mandate under the Electoral Act to regulate election expenses, urging political parties to pay close attention to financial provisions outlined in the draft, particularly those relating to party primaries and election conduct.
With the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and Governorship and State Assembly polls set for February 6, 2027, Amupitan said INEC is working within a compressed timeline, requiring what he termed “surgical precision” in planning and execution.
The proposed regulations cover key areas including party registration and mergers, internal administration, conduct of primaries, campaign activities, political financing, and deregistration procedures.
The framework also introduces measurable benchmarks to boost participation of women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).Responding on behalf of political parties, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yabagi Sani, commended INEC for the consultative approach, describing it as critical to developing a practical and inclusive regulatory framework.
He, however, raised concerns over certain provisions, particularly the need for flexibility in conducting party primaries, which he said remain internal party affairs.Sani also pointed to challenges surrounding membership registration, urging INEC to adopt timelines that balance inclusivity with accountability.
On electoral transparency, he expressed support for technological innovations introduced by the Commission but called for clearer provisions on the electronic transmission of results.
The IPAC chairman further reiterated the council’s call for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to strengthen enforcement against vote buying and other electoral malpractices.
In his closing remarks, Amupitan thanked party leaders for their contributions, assuring that all submissions would be reviewed before finalising the document.
INEC is expected to incorporate stakeholder feedback into the final version of the 2026 Regulations and Guidelines, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
