By Abuja, Nigeria
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled a revised draft of its 2026 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, as part of efforts to improve internal party democracy and enhance the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The new draft was presented on Tuesday at a consultative meeting with political party leaders in Abuja. Speaking at the event, INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, said the revised framework is designed to align with the Electoral Act 2026 while addressing gaps identified in earlier regulations.
According to Amupitan, the reforms place strong emphasis on internal democracy, stressing that credible elections depend largely on transparent and inclusive candidate selection processes within political parties.
He explained that the review followed a detailed evaluation of the 2022 regulations, supported by data from the Political Party Performance Index, developed in partnership with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. The findings, he noted, revealed a significant disconnect between party constitutions and realities at the grassroots level.
On campaign finance, Amupitan said the Electoral Act 2026 now empowers INEC to determine spending limits for elections in consultation with political parties, a move expected to promote accountability and reduce excesses. He also disclosed that the revised guidelines introduce measurable benchmarks aimed at boosting the participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in the political process.
With the 2027 general elections slated for January 16 for presidential and National Assembly contests, and February 6 for governorship and state assembly elections, the INEC chairman warned that the commission is working within tight timelines.
He urged political parties to cooperate with the commission and embrace the proposed reforms, noting that they are critical to safeguarding the will of the Nigerian electorate.
“By sharpening these rules, we are protecting the sovereign will of the Nigerian people from nomination to the final declaration of results,” Amupitan said.
