The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has introduced draft regulations aimed at addressing irregularities in party primaries and excessive campaign spending ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The proposals were unveiled during a consultative meeting with political party leaders in Abuja on Tuesday.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, said the reforms are intended to curb candidate imposition, strengthen internal party democracy, and restore public trust in the electoral process.
“Credible elections begin long before polling day; they start with transparent processes that produce candidates,” he said.
Amupitan noted that flawed party primaries have contributed to voter apathy and a surge in election-related court cases.
The proposed 2026 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties represent a significant update to the 2022 framework and are aligned with the Electoral Act 2026. The draft covers party registration and mergers, internal governance, campaign conduct, and conditions for deregistration.
According to INEC, the new rules outline clearer procedures for primaries, stricter oversight of campaign activities, and enhanced requirements for financial transparency and accountability.
They also introduce new provisions on election spending, in line with Section 93(2) of the Electoral Act, which empowers the commission to set spending limits in consultation with political parties.
The reforms come as INEC prepares for a tighter electoral timetable, with presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state assembly polls set for February 6, 2027.
Amupitan stressed that the shortened timeline would require “surgical precision” in planning and execution.
He added that the draft includes measurable targets to improve participation among women, youth, and persons with disabilities. The reforms were partly informed by findings from the Political Party Performance Index, developed with support from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, which revealed a gap between party constitutions and grassroots realities.
Describing the proposed regulations as protective rather than restrictive, Amupitan urged political parties to engage constructively in the review process.
“INEC remains a neutral umpire, but we will not be passive observers to the erosion of democratic values,” he said.
The commission is currently seeking input from stakeholders before finalising the rules that will guide political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
