The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a two-day training programme for political party officials on the use of the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP), aimed at preventing errors in candidate submissions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The training, holdibg from June 25 to 26 at The Electoral Institute (TEI), was designed to equip political party officials responsible for candidate nomination and the electronic submission of documents with the knowledge and skills required to ensure a smooth, compliant nomination process.
Speaking at the opening session, the Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Dr. Bayode Lawrence, represented by the Deputy Director, IT, Mrs. Anthonia Idemudia, said the programme was part of INEC’s commitment to preparing stakeholders for key electoral activities.
She explained that the training would familiarise party officials with the procedures and requirements for uploading critical documents of candidates nominated to contest under their respective political parties in the 2027 General Election.
According to her, the exercise is particularly important for officials participating in the nomination process for the first time, as it will help reduce avoidable mistakes and ensure a hitch-free exercise.
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the National Commissioner and Chairperson of the Legal Services, Clearance and Complaint Committee (LSC&CC), Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, the Acting Director-General of The Electoral Institute, Prof. Ibrahim Sani, described candidate nomination as a crucial stage in the electoral process.
“Nomination of candidates remains one of the most critical stages of the electoral process. Indeed, it is the foundation upon which elections are conducted. Without duly nominated candidates, there can be no electoral contest,” he said.
Prof. Sani noted that the Electoral Act 2026 places responsibility on political parties to submit details of their sponsored candidates within stipulated timelines and approved formats.
He added that INEC had already released its Timetable and Schedule of Activities, with candidate nomination scheduled to commence on June 27, 2026, making the training timely and necessary.
“Compliance at the nomination stage contributes significantly to reducing disputes, enhancing certainty, and strengthening public confidence in the electoral process. The success of the 2027 General Election begins with adequate preparation, and this training is an important part of that preparation,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Director of Legal Drafting and Compliance, Mrs. Rakiya Na’Uzo Adamu, said the training was structured to guide political parties on the approved Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates as provided under the Electoral Act 2026.
According to her, the programme was expected to address challenges experienced during previous nomination exercises, reduce errors associated with the completion of nomination forms, and improve compliance with electoral requirements.
Following the opening sessions, participants moved into breakout sessions where members of the Legal Drafting and Compliance team provided practical guidance on the nomination guidelines and addressed areas requiring further clarification.
The training formed part of INEC’s preparations for the 2027 General Election and its efforts to ensure that political parties comply with nomination procedures while minimising errors that could lead to disputes or disqualification of candidates from the electoral exercise.
