By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Ahead of the forthcoming elections in the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) on Tuesday began the process of setting new regulations and guidelines for political parties in the areas of finances and election expenses, parties’ primaries and registration of parties among others.
The new regulations and guidelines also cover areas such as political party operations, conduct of political rallies, processions, and campaigns regulations among others.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan SAN, revealed these at the consultative meeting with the leaders of political on the review of the commission’s regulations and guidelines in Abuja.
In the words of Amupitan, “Today, we gather not only to discuss the newly drafted INEC regulation and guidelines for Political Parties, 2026, but also to reaffirm our collective commitment to enhancing the democratic process in Nigeria.
“We meet today (Tuesday) not merely as regulators and political actors, but as joint custodians of Nigeria’s democratic future.
“Early this month, the Commission commenced a rigorous technical retreat to review and reconstruct the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022. Today, we share the result of that exercise with you.
“As I have often maintained, credible elections begin long before polling day; they begin in the transparency of the processes that produce the candidates.
“As you are all aware, these regulations have been formulated under the powers granted to INEC by our Constitution and the Electoral Act.
“They represent a significant review of the Regulations made in 2022, now meticulously aligned with the recently enacted Electoral Act of 2026. We cannot navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map.
“In particular, mention must be made of section 93(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which states that election expenses incurred by a political party for the management or the conduct of an election shall be determined by the Commission in consultation with the political parties.
“Consequently, we would like the political parties to take special note of Clause 40(4) & (5) of the draft Regulation dealing with election expenses of political parties for the management of party primaries and for the conduct of elections.
‘Therefore, the Commission has concluded a clause-by-clause realignment of our Regulations and Guidelines to ensure they are not only legally airtight but operationally in sync with the new Act.
“It is our hope that these updated guidelines will foster a more transparent, fair, and equitable electoral landscape for all stakeholders involved.
“With the Presidential and National Assembly elections fixed for January 16, 2027 and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections fixed for 6th February 2027, we are operating in a compressed timetable as a result of the reduction in the various timelines in the Electoral Act, 2026, which demands what I call surgical precision.
“Our review has been guided by empirical data, specifically findings from the Political Party Performance Index (PPPI).
This diagnostic tool, developed with the support of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), highlighted a disturbing gap between party constitutions and grassroots realities.
“The newly drafted regulations encompass crucial areas that are central to the operations of political parties in our democratic framework”, he said.
On the issue of finances and election expenses, the INEC Chairman said, “We have established clear standards regarding the financing of political activities, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability in managing party funds and campaign expenses”.
Speaking on the issue of
deregistration of Political Parties, Amupitan said, “We have also included provisions that define the circumstances under which a political party may be deregistered, ensuring that the process is just and equitable”.
He expressed confidence that the new regulations will foster a more transparent 2027 general election.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the InterParty Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr Yusuf Mamman Dantale warned that lapses observed during the 2023 general elections must not occur again, saying the trust deficit in the electoral system and voter apathy will persist unless decisive steps are taken to reform the current electoral framework.
The current Electoral Act, as passed by the National Assembly and the timetable released by the commission, Dantale pointed out, has placed undue pressure on political parties and may eventually lead to disenfranchisement.
The IPAC National Chairman said as key stakeholders in Nigeria’s democratic system, the body is duty-bound to draw both national and international attention to evident shortcomings in the current electoral legal framework, especially shortcomings that have the potential to impede, weaken, and destabilise our hard-earned democracy.
According to Dantalle, “Nigerians participated actively in the public hearings on the Constitution and Electoral Act amendments, with the expectation that their contributions would culminate in a progressive, inclusive, and people-oriented Electoral Act.
“Unfortunately, the Electoral Act 2026 falls far short of these expectations. Rather than advancing our democratic journey, it represents a significant regression, one that must be urgently addressed in the national interest.
“It is particularly concerning that this contentious Electoral Act formed the basis upon which INEC released the timetable and schedule for the 2027 General Elections.
“This has inadvertently placed immense pressure on political parties, especially those outside government, thereby constraining their ability to effectively prepare and contribute to building a strong, inclusive, and stable democratic nation.
“In this regard, IPAC firmly demands that the National Assembly, as a matter of urgency, revisit and amend the Electoral Act 2026. Specifically, the provision mandating direct primaries must be reconsidered, and the option of indirect primaries restored.”
“The choice of candidate selection methods remains an internal affair of political parties and must not be subjected to undue legislative interference.
“Furthermore, the requirement for political parties to submit their membership registers, including members’ National Identification Numbers (NIN), within the limited timeframe of 1st to 21st April 2026 is impractical and exclusionary.”
“This provision risks disenfranchising a large segment of Nigerians who lack access to NIN registration facilities. In the spirit of inclusivity and participatory democracy, this requirement should be expunged.
“Equally important is the restoration of the electronic transmission of election results after collation at polling units.” Transmission of results to the IREV should be mandatory immediately after results are announced at the polling unit, and no proviso is required.
“This is a fundamental demand of the Nigerian people and a critical safeguard for electoral transparency.
“The challenges experienced during the 2023 presidential election serve as a reminder of the risks associated with lapses in this area. Such occurrences must not be allowed to recur. The Council reiterated at the recently concluded General Assembly.
“It is also deeply troubling that the new Electoral Act appears to weaken penalties for vote buying, an offence that continues to erode the credibility of our elections.”
“IPAC reiterates its call for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to ensure that violators are held accountable. Stronger sanctions will serve as a deterrent and reinforce the sanctity of our democratic process” he said.