Date: March 25, 2026 l Reporter: Stephen
Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has convened a high-level meeting with political party leaders in Abuja, unveiling a sweeping set of new guidelines aimed at reshaping the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, attended by party chairmen, secretaries, and representatives across Nigeria’s political spectrum, focused on presenting and reviewing newly drafted regulations designed to govern party activities and ensure a more transparent electoral system.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, said the updated guidelines were necessary following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, emphasizing that the country could no longer rely on outdated frameworks in preparing for future elections.
According to the commission, the revised regulations introduce major reforms across critical areas, including political party registration, mergers, internal operations, campaign conduct, and financial transparency. The new rules are also expected to address long-standing issues such as candidate imposition, irregular primaries, and opaque party structures.
INEC stressed that credible elections begin long before voting day, highlighting the importance of transparent candidate selection processes as a foundation for public trust and democratic integrity.
The guidelines also introduce stricter provisions on campaign financing, giving INEC the authority to regulate election expenses in consultation with political parties, while ensuring accountability in the use of funds.
In addition, the commission revealed plans for preparatory activities ahead of the elections, including Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), which will allow Nigerians to register or update their voter details, as well as a nationwide revalidation of the voter register to eliminate duplicate and invalid entries.
A key feature of the new framework is the inclusion of measurable benchmarks to improve the participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, reflecting efforts to make the electoral process more inclusive.
However, concerns have already been raised by political stakeholders. The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) warned that certain provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the new guidelines could place undue pressure on political parties and potentially affect the credibility of the 2027 elections if not properly addressed.
With the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state assembly elections set for February 6, 2027, INEC acknowledged that it is working within a tight timeline and urged political parties to engage constructively with the reform process.
As political activities begin to intensify nationwide, the unveiling of the new guidelines signals a decisive step toward strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system, even as debates continue over how the rules will shape the outcome of the 2027 general elections.