The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented its draft 2026 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties to party leaders, opening consultations on the framework that will govern political activities ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
At a consultative meeting held in Abuja, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan described the engagement as a critical step in shaping credible elections, stressing that electoral integrity begins long before polling day.
“We meet today not merely as regulators and political actors, but as joint custodians of Nigeria’s democratic future,” he said, noting that the Commission had undertaken a technical review of the 2022 guidelines to produce an updated framework aligned with new legal realities.
The revised document, developed under the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the Constitution, represents what the Commission described as a comprehensive overhaul of existing regulations. According to the INEC chairman, the changes are necessary to reflect evolving electoral laws and operational demands ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We cannot navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map,” Amupitan said.
INEC also drew attention to Section 93(2) of the Electoral Act, which empowers the Commission to set limits on election expenses in consultation with political parties. Parties were specifically urged to review financial provisions in Clause 40(4) and (5) of the draft, which deal with funding rules for party primaries and election campaigns.
The Commission confirmed that the 2027 election cycle will begin earlier than usual, with Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, followed by Governorship and State Assembly elections on February 6, 2027. INEC warned that the shortened statutory timelines would require what it termed “surgical precision” in planning and execution.
The draft guidelines cover a broad range of party activities, including registration and mergers, internal governance, conduct of primaries, campaign regulations, political finance, and procedures for deregistration. It also introduces measurable benchmarks aimed at increasing participation by women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities.
Responding on behalf of political parties, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Dantalle, welcomed the consultative approach, describing it as essential to producing a workable and inclusive regulatory framework.
He, however, raised concerns over certain provisions, particularly the need for flexibility in the conduct of party primaries, which he argued should remain largely within the internal control of political parties.
Dantalle also highlighted practical challenges around membership registration, noting that compiling comprehensive party registers within tight timelines could prove difficult without more accommodating provisions.
On electoral transparency, he expressed support for INEC’s continued deployment of technology but called for clearer rules governing electronic transmission of results to avoid ambiguity during the electoral process.
The consultation marks a key step in finalising the regulatory framework expected to shape political party conduct and election administration ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
