The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set new regulations and guidelines for election expenses for political parties, expressing confidence that the new regulations will foster a more transparent 2027 general election.

Chairman of the commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, who disclosed this at a consultative meeting with leaders of political parties on the review of the regulations and guidelines for political parties, said the commission cannot conduct the 2027 elections using a 2022 roadmap.

Amupitan spoke just as the InterParty Advisory Council (IPAC) warned that lapses observed during the 2023 general elections must not occur again, saying the trust deficit in the electoral system and voter apathy will persist unless decisive steps are taken to reform the current electoral framework.

IPAC said the current Electoral Act, as passed by the National Assembly and the timetable released by the commission, has placed undue pressure on political parties and may eventually lead to disenfranchisement.

Prof Amupitan said the process leading to every credible election begins long before polling day; it begins with the transparency of the processes that produce the candidates.

He said the Commission was presenting the revised regulations and guidelines put together by the Commission to the parties not merely as regulators and political actors, but as joint custodians of Nigeria’s democratic future.

He said, “As you are all aware, these regulations have been formulated under the powers granted to INEC by our Constitution and the Electoral Act and represent a significant review of the regulations made in 2022, now meticulously aligned with the recently enacted Electoral Act of 2026.”

Prof. Amupitan said the review became necessary because the commission cannot navigate a 2027 horizon using a 2022 map.

He said, “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.”

“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 Electoral Act. We hope that these updated guidelines will foster a more transparent, fair, and equitable electoral landscape for all stakeholders involved”.

He reminded the party leaders that “with the Presidential and National Assembly elections fixed for January 16, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections fixed for 6th February 2027, we are 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.

“Our review has been guided by empirical data, specifically findings from the Political Party Performance Index (PPPI).” 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.”

He explained that the commission has streamlined the process of party registration and merger to ensure it is more accessible while maintaining a robust framework that upholds democratic principles.

He said further that the commission has provided clear guidelines instituted to govern the day-to-day functioning of political parties, ensuring compliance with the laws and promoting accountability.

According to him, this aims at sanitising party primaries and putting an end to the era of opaque processes that impose unpopular candidates, fueling voter apathy and a deluge of avoidable litigation.

He said further that the commission recognises the critical role of primary elections in the political system and has outlined procedures that will uphold fairness and transparency within political parties.

On the conduct of political rallies, processions, and campaigns, the INEC boss said regulations have been put in place to ensure that campaign activities are conducted peacefully with respect to the rights and dignity of all citizens.

The Commission, he said, 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.

He also said that “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).”

11. Distinguished Party Leaders, as we present these draft regulations for your input, I urge you to see them not as a restriction, but as a safeguard.

He stressed that “by sharpening these rules, we are protecting the sovereign will of the Nigerian people from the point of nomination to the final declaration of results. As we move forward, I further urge each of you to engage with these regulations constructively.

“This is an opportunity for us to create an electoral environment that not only reflects the aspirations of our people but also serves as a testament to our collective commitment to democratic governance.”

In his remarks, National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Mamman Dantalle, said as key stakeholders in Nigeria’s democratic system, the body is duty-bound to draw both national and international attention to evident shortcomings in the current electoral legal framework, especially shortcomings that have the potential to impede, weaken, and destabilise our hard-earned democracy.

Dantalle said, “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.

“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.”

“The choice of candidate selection methods remains an internal affair of political parties and must not be subjected to undue legislative interference.

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

“This provision risks disenfranchising a large segment of Nigerians who lack access to NIN registration facilities. In the spirit of inclusivity and participatory democracy, this requirement should be expunged.

“Equally important is the restoration of the electronic transmission of election results after collation at polling units.” Transmission of results to the IREV should be mandatory immediately after results are announced at the polling unit, and no proviso is required.

“This is a fundamental demand of the Nigerian people and a critical safeguard for electoral transparency. The challenges experienced during the 2023 presidential election serve as a reminder of the risks associated with lapses in this area. Such occurrences must not be allowed to recur. The Council reiterated at the recently concluded General Assembly.

“It is also deeply troubling that the new Electoral Act appears to weaken penalties for vote buying, an offence that continues to erode the credibility of our elections.”

“IPAC reiterates its call for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to ensure that violators are held accountable. Stronger sanctions will serve as a deterrent and reinforce the sanctity of our democratic process.

“We have also taken steps by appealing to the National Assembly to urgently repeal the 2026 Electoral Act in the interest of a credible and transparent electoral process.” We are also calling on developmental partners to urgently deploy their diplomatic influence in the interest of a sustainable democracy in Nigeria.

“Leadership in a democratic society must be anchored on integrity, credibility, and accountability. It is imperative that we collectively sanitise our political environment and uphold standards that inspire public trust. The prevailing trust deficit and voter apathy will persist unless decisive steps are taken to reform the current electoral framework.

“The international community is closely observing Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, with high expectations for improved outcomes in the 2027 General Election. We must rise to this responsibility.

“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.

“As the umbrella body of all registered political parties, IPAC remains committed to its mandate of fostering political stability, promoting credible elections, and deepening democracy in Nigeria. We will continue to engage constructively in pursuit of a democratic system that guarantees fairness, inclusivity, and sustainable national development.” (The Nation)