INEC Concludes Clause-by-clause Realignment, Regulations, Guidelines Ahead of 2027 Polls

• IPAC: There must be no lapses in Ekiti, Osun guber elections 

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja 

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said that the commission has concluded a clause-by-clause realignment of its regulations and guidelines to ensure they are not only legally airtight but operationally in sync with the new Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 elections.

The chairman made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at the consultative meeting with leaders of political parties on the review of INEC regulations and guidelines for political parties.

He noted that they met not merely as regulators and political actors, but as joint custodians of Nigeria’s democratic future.

Amupitan recalled that earlier this month, the commission commenced a rigorous technical retreat to review and reconstruct the regulations and guidelines for political parties. 

He explained that the regulations have been formulated under the powers granted to INEC by Nigeria’s constitution and the Electoral Act. 

Amupitan stated: “They represent a significant review of the regulations made in 2022, now meticulously aligned with the recently enacted Electoral Act of 2026. We cannot navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map. 

“In particular, mention must be made of Section 93(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which states that election expenses incurred by a political party for the management or the conduct of an election shall be determined by the commission in consultation with the political parties. 

“Consequently, we would like the political parties to take special note of Clause 40(4) & (5) of the draft regulation dealing with election expenses of political parties for the management of party primaries and for the conduct of elections. 

“Therefore, the commission has concluded a clause-by-clause realignment of our regulations and guidelines to ensure they are not only legally airtight but operationally in sync with the new Act. 

“It is our hope that these updated guidelines will foster a more transparent, fair and equitable electoral landscape for all stakeholders involved.”

Amupitan said with the presidential and National Assembly elections fixed for January 16, 2027 and the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027, the commission is operating in a compressed timetable as a result of the reduction in the various timelines in the Electoral Act, 2026, “which demands what I call surgical precision”.

He assured Nigerians that the review has been guided by empirical data, specifically findings from the Political Party Performance Index (PPPI). 

Amupitan stated: “This diagnostic tool, developed with the support of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), highlighted a disturbing gap between party constitutions and grassroots realities. 

“The newly drafted regulations encompass crucial areas that are central to the operations of political parties in our democratic framework.”

The INEC chairman said the commission has streamlined the process to ensure that it is more accessible while maintaining a robust framework that upholds democratic principles.

He explained that clear guidelines have been instituted to govern the day-to-day functioning of political parties, ensuring compliance with the nation’s laws and promoting accountability. 

This, Amupitan said, was aimed at sanitising party primaries, which intends to end the era of opaque processes that impose unpopular candidates, fueling voter apathy and a deluge of avoidable litigation.

The chairman said the commission recognised the critical role of primary elections in the political system, adding that the electoral body has outlined procedures that uphold fairness and transparency within political parties.

Amupitan said the commission has put in place regulations to ensure that campaign activities are conducted peacefully and respect the rights and dignity of all citizens.

He explained that the commission has also established clear standards regarding the financing of political activities, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability in managing party funds and campaign expenses.

“We have also included provisions that define the circumstances under which a political party may be deregistered, ensuring that the process is just and equitable.

“We have also embedded measurable benchmarks for the participation of women, youth and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs),” Amupitan noted.

Speaking, the Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, said IPAC was duty-bound to draw both national and international attention to evident shortcomings in the current electoral legal framework—shortcomings that have the potential to impede, weaken and destabilise Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy.

He stressed that Nigerians participated actively in the public hearings on the Constitution and Electoral Act amendments, with the expectation that their contributions would culminate in a progressive, inclusive and people-oriented Electoral Act. 

Dantalle said: “Unfortunately, the Electoral Act 2026 falls far short of these expectations. Rather than advancing our democratic journey, it represents a significant regression one that must be urgently addressed in the national interest.

“It is particularly concerning that this contentious Electoral Act formed the basis upon which INEC released the timetable and schedule for the 2027 general elections. 

“This has inadvertently placed immense pressure on political parties, especially those outside government thereby constraining their ability to effectively prepare and contribute to building a strong, inclusive and stable democratic nation.

“In this regard, IPAC firmly demands that the National Assembly, as a matter of urgency, revisit and amend the Electoral Act 2026.  Specifically, the provision mandating direct primaries must be reconsidered, and the option of indirect primaries restored.”

Dantalle maintained that the choice of candidate selection methods remains an internal affair of political parties and must not be subjected to undue legislative interference.

He pointed out that the requirement for political parties to submit their membership registers including members’ National Identification Numbers (NIN) within the limited timeframe of April 1 to 21, 2026 is impractical and exclusionary.

Dantalle noted that this provision risks disenfranchising a large segment of Nigerians who lack access to NIN registration facilities. 

He said in the spirit of inclusivity and participatory democracy, this requirement should be expunged.

IPAC warned the commission that there must be zero lapses in the forthcoming Osun and Ekiti governorship elections.

According to Dantalle, “As we look ahead to the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, INEC must demonstrate preparedness, professionalism and technological efficiency, particularly in the deployment of BVAS and the IReV portal. 

“There must be zero tolerance for lapses. The credibility of the commission is at stake, and public confidence hinges on the assurance that every vote will count.”