The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a two-day training programme for officials of political parties on the use of the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP) as part of preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The training, holding from June 25th to 26th at The Electoral Institute (TEI), is aimed at equipping political party officials involved in the nomination and electronic submission of candidates’ documents with the required knowledge and procedures to ensure a smooth and efficient nomination process.
In his welcome address, the Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Dr. Bayode Lawrence, represented by the Deputy Director, IT, Mrs. Anthonia Idemudia, said the training was in line with the Commission’s established practice of ensuring that all stakeholders are adequately prepared for electoral processes.
She noted that the exercise was designed to bring political party officials up to speed with the processes and procedures required for uploading critical documents of candidates nominated to represent their respective parties in the 2027 General Election.
According to her, the training is particularly important for officials participating in the process for the first time, as it will help reduce avoidable challenges and ensure a hitch-free nomination exercise.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the National Commissioner, Chairperson Legal Services, Clearance, and Complaint Committee (LSC&CC) Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, the Acting Director-General of The Electoral Institute, Prof. Ibrahim Sani, stressed the importance of candidate nomination as a fundamental stage of the electoral process.
He said the success of any election begins with the proper nomination of candidates, adding that political parties must fully understand and comply with the legal and procedural requirements guiding the 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 stated.
He explained that the Electoral Act 2026 places responsibility on political parties to submit details of their sponsored candidates within the stipulated timelines and in the approved format.
Prof. Sani noted that INEC’s Timetable and Schedule of Activities had already been released, 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 said.
Also speaking on the objectives and expectations of the training, the Director of Legal Drafting and Compliance, Mrs. Rakiya Na’Uzo Adamu, said the programme was structured to train political parties on the approved Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates as provided under the Electoral Act 2026.
According to her, the training would help address challenges encountered during previous exercises, reduce errors associated with 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 (LDC) team took them through the Guidelines for Nomination of Candidates for Elections and other practical aspects of the nomination process to address unclear areas.