By| Goodluck E.Adubazi |Abuja
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, on Tuesday announced a comprehensive review of regulations guiding political parties, as preparations intensify for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a high-level consultative meeting with party leaders in Abuja, Amupitan said the newly drafted INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2026 aim to strengthen transparency, accountability, and fairness in the country’s electoral process.
The meeting, which brought together stakeholders including the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), national commissioners, and senior electoral officials, marked a critical step in aligning electoral rules with the recently enacted Electoral Act 2026.
Amupitan emphasized that credible elections begin long before voting day, stressing that “the transparency of processes that produce candidates” is central to democratic integrity.
He noted that the revised regulations replace the 2022 framework, stating, “We cannot navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map,” in reference to evolving legal and political realities.
INEC outlined several major reforms in the draft guidelines, including:
Streamlined party registration and mergers to improve accessibility while maintaining strict democratic standards.
Clearer operational rules to enhance accountability and reduce internal party conflicts.
Transparent conduct of primaries, aimed at ending opaque candidate selection processes blamed for voter apathy and legal disputes.
Regulation of campaigns and rallies to ensure peaceful political engagement.
Strict financial guidelines governing campaign spending and party finances.
Defined conditions for party deregistration to ensure fairness and compliance.
The commission also introduced measurable benchmarks to boost the inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in party activities.
INEC confirmed that presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will follow on February 6, 2027.
Amupitan described the timeline as “compressed,” requiring what he termed “surgical precision” in planning and execution.
Data-Driven Reforms
The INEC chairman revealed that the review process was informed by findings from the Political Party Performance Index, developed with support from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.
The report highlighted gaps between party constitutions and grassroots practices, prompting reforms to bridge those disparities.
Amupitan urged political parties to view the new regulations as safeguards rather than restrictions, emphasizing their role in protecting the will of the electorate.
“This is an opportunity to build an electoral environment that reflects the aspirations of Nigerians,” he said, calling for constructive engagement from all stakeholders.
He reaffirmed INEC’s neutrality but warned that the commission would no longer remain passive in the face of actions that undermine democratic values.
