The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has convened a high-level meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja to unveil and deliberate on newly drafted electoral guidelines for the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, held at the commission’s headquarters, brought together party chairmen, secretaries, and key representatives across the political spectrum.
Among those in attendance were Nenadi Usman, representing the Labour Party, alongside Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
INEC said the session focused on presenting and reviewing updated electoral guidelines intended to govern the conduct of the 2027 polls, following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026.
Speaking at the meeting, the INEC Chairman stressed that the revised framework reflects the realities of the new law and evolving electoral landscape.
“The updated guidelines are aligned with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. Political parties and stakeholders must adapt to the new framework, as outdated regulations can no longer guide our processes,” the chairman said.
The commission also outlined key preparatory activities, including the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. According to INEC, the process began with online pre-registration before transitioning to in-person registration, enabling eligible Nigerians to either register or update their voter details.
INEC further disclosed plans for a nationwide voter register revalidation exercise aimed at eliminating duplicate entries and removing deceased persons from the database.
“This exercise is critical to strengthening the credibility and integrity of the voter register ahead of the elections,” the commission noted.
Meanwhile, debates over electoral reforms continue, particularly around provisions in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026. A major point of contention remains the Senate’s stance on real-time electronic transmission of results to INEC’s Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
Political activities are also gaining momentum ahead of the 2027 elections. Bola Ahmed Tinubu has secured endorsement from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for a second term, while opposition figures including Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Peter Obi are exploring a coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to challenge the incumbent party.
