By John Dike, Osogbo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced consultations with political parties on its draft Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2026, setting the stage for the 2027 general elections.
The engagement, held today in Abuja, brought together party leaders and key stakeholders to review and provide input on the proposed framework that will govern party activities in the next electoral cycle.
In his opening address, INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, described the meeting as a gathering of “joint custodians of Nigeria’s democratic future,” emphasizing that credible elections are built on early planning and collaboration.
“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 comprehensive review of the 2022 Regulations to align with current realities and legal provisions.
According to him, the draft document, developed in line with the Electoral Act, 2026, represents a major overhaul of the previous framework.
“We cannot navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map,” Amupitan stated, stressing the need for reforms that reflect evolving electoral demands.
He highlighted key provisions of the draft, including regulations on party registration and mergers, internal administration
conduct of primaries, campaign activities, political financing, and deregistration procedures.
The document also introduces measurable benchmarks aimed at improving the participation of women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process.
The INEC Chairman further drew attention to financial regulations, particularly provisions relating to election expenses and party primaries, urging political parties to critically examine the relevant clauses and provide constructive feedback
With the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state assembly polls slated for February 6, 2027.
Amupitan noted that the Commission is working within a compressed timeline, requiring what he described as “surgical precision” in preparation and execution.
Responding on behalf of political parties, National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dantalle, commended INEC for adopting a consultative approach, describing it as crucial to developing a workable and inclusive regulatory framework.
He, however, raised concerns on certain provisions, particularly the need for flexibility in the conduct of party primaries, which he said are internal affairs of political parties.
He also pointed to challenges surrounding membership registration, urging the Commission to adopt measures that balance inclusivity with accountability.
On electoral transparency, Dantalle expressed support for technological innovations introduced by INEC, while calling for clearer guidelines on the electronic transmission of results to eliminate ambiguities.
He further reiterated the need for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to strengthen enforcement against vote buying and other electoral malpractices.
In his closing remarks, Amupitan thanked stakeholders for their contributions, assuring that all inputs would be carefully reviewed before the finalisation of the document.
“This is precisely why we convened this meeting. Your insights are invaluable in shaping a framework that works for all stakeholders,” he said.
INEC is expected to incorporate feedback from the consultation into the final version of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
