2027: INEC Moves to Tighten Party Oversight, Aligns Regulations with New Electoral Act

By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters

In a bold reform move ahead of the 2027 General Election, the Independents National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a comprehensive technical review of its Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties to align them with the newly assented Electoral Act 2025 in a decisive effort to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

The exercise, convened in Abuja under the leadership of the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Josh’s Ojo Amupitan SAN, signals a critical phase in INEC’s reform agenda aimed at strengthening political party oversight, boosting compliance, reducing pre-election disputes, and enhancing public confidence in the democratic system.

At the heart of the initiative according to a media report e-signed by the Media Adviser to INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola is a Technical Workshop on the Revision of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, bringing together National Commissioners, Directors across operational departments, legal experts, election administrators, and institutional stakeholders. The participants are undertaking a detailed clause-by-clause review of the Commission’s existing 2022 regulatory framework to ensure full legal alignment and operational clarity well ahead of the 2027 polls.

The Electoral Act 2026 introduces sweeping legal and operational changes affecting party administration, candidate nomination processes, compliance obligations, dispute resolution mechanisms, and INEC’s regulatory mandate. The Commission said revising its subsidiary regulations is necessary not only for legal consistency but also to address emerging electoral realities.

Beyond statutory compliance, INEC is drawing lessons from previous elections to strengthen preventive regulation. The Commission identified persistent issues such as opaque party primaries, membership disputes, weak financial disclosure practices, and exclusionary participation patterns as major contributors to avoidable litigation and electoral uncertainty. Addressing these gaps early, it noted, remains central to preparations for the next general election cycle.

To support evidence-based reforms, INEC is integrating findings from its Political Party Performance Index (PPPI), a diagnostic tool designed to identify systemic weaknesses in party governance and compliance practices nationwide. The Commission aims to transition from reactive enforcement to proactive supervision anchored on measurable standards.

Speaking on the reform process, Amupitan stressed that credible elections begin long before polling day.

“For elections to inspire public confidence, the institutions that produce candidates must themselves operate transparently and within the law,” he said.

The workshop is also developing strengthened compliance mechanisms, clearer reporting obligations, and enhanced operational guidance for monitoring party activities across the country. Particular focus is being placed on financial accountability, dispute prevention, accurate membership documentation, and measurable benchmarks for the participation of women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities within party structures.

Technical facilitation support is being provided by the West minister Foundation for Democracy (WFD), alongside Nigerian legal and electoral experts, offering comparative insights to support INEC’s institutional reform objectives.

Commenting on the initiative, the Country Director of WFD Nigeria, Adebowale Olorunmola, described the process as a significant step toward strengthening political party regulation ahead of 2027.

“This isn’t just a review of a document; it is a reconstruction of the democratic foundation. We are moving toward an era where political parties are held to the same high standards of integrity as the electoral commission itself,” he stated.

INEC further noted that early alignment of party regulations with the Electoral Act 2026 would significantly reduce pre-election litigation and administrative disputes that often distract from election preparation and delivery.

At the conclusion of the exercise, a consolidated draft of the Revised Regulations and Guidelines (2026 Edition) will undergo internal validation before engagement with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and all registered political parties as part of broader implementation consultations.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to continuous electoral reform and to strengthening political parties as democratic institutions capable of producing credible leadership choices for Nigerians.