Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented the draft of the 2026 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties to leaders of political parties.
The Commission Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan presented the draft at the consultative meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday,
INEC is seeking the inputs of the critical stakeholder on the framework that will guide party operations in the forthcoming electoral cycle.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, described the gathering as a convergence of “joint custodians of Nigeria’s democratic future,” stressing that the foundation of credible elections is laid well before polling day.
He noted the participation of all stakeholders is not merely as regulators and political actors, but as joint custodians of Nigeria’s democratic future. The INEC boss said that the Commission had earlier undertaken a rigorous technical retreat to review and reconstruct the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines. “Today, we share the outcome of that exercise with you.”
The INEC Chairman explained that the draft document was developed pursuant to powers conferred on the Commission by the Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2026, representing a comprehensive overhaul of the 2022 framework to align with recent legal provisions. “We cannot navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map,” he declared.
Drawing attention to Section 93(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, Prof. Amupitan underscored the Commission’s mandate to determine election expenses for political parties in consultation with stakeholders. He specifically urged political parties to carefully examine Clause 40(4) and (5) of the draft, which address financial regulations relating to party primaries and election conduct.
With the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and Governorship and State Assembly elections slated for February 6, 2027, the Chairman noted that the Commission is operating within a compressed timeline. He emphasized that the reduction in statutory timelines demands what he described as “surgical precision” in planning and execution.
The draft Regulations and Guidelines cover key areas of party administration, including registration and mergers, internal party operations, conduct of primaries, campaign activities, political finance, and deregistration procedures. Notably, the framework also incorporates measurable benchmarks to enhance the participation of women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process.
In his response, IPAC National Chairman, Dr. Dantalle, commended the Commission for initiating a consultative process, describing it as essential for producing a workable regulatory framework that reflects operational realities.
He noted that political parties are committed to engaging constructively with the draft, while highlighting areas requiring further clarification. Chief among these was the need for flexibility in the conduct of party primaries, which he described as an internal affair of political parties that should be accommodated within the regulatory provisions.
On membership registration, the IPAC Chairman drew attention to the practical challenges parties face in compiling comprehensive registers within stipulated timelines, urging the Commission to adopt provisions that balance inclusivity with accountability.
He also stressed the importance of transparency in result management, expressing support for technological innovations introduced by the Commission, while calling for clear and unambiguous provisions on the electronic transmission of results.
