INEC Conducts Refresher Training on Nomination Portal for Political Parties Ahead of 2027 Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has conducted a two-day refresher training workshop for political party officials on the effective use of its Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP).

The workshop, which began on Wednesday at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, is part of efforts to enhance the capacity of political parties and minimise errors in the nomination of candidates for upcoming bye-elections and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

The session brought together representatives from registered political parties, including those who had previously received similar training ahead of the 2023 general elections.

INEC said the initiative is designed to consolidate gains from previous electoral cycles and promote a transparent, efficient, and technologically streamlined nomination process.

In her welcome address, National Commissioner and Chairperson of the Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints Committee (LSC&CC), Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, emphasised the critical role of candidate nominations in the electoral process.

“Nomination of candidates is not only a statutory obligation as provided in Section 29 of the Electoral Act, 2022, but it is the very foundation upon which elections are conducted,” she stated. “An error in the submission of personal particulars of candidates by political parties can be potentially detrimental to both the party and its candidate.”

Agbamuche-Mbu acknowledged improvements in the use of the ICNP, particularly in reducing paperwork and enhancing compliance, but noted that challenges such as incomplete submissions, incorrect document attachments, and frequent turnover of party personnel still persist.

“This refresher training is designed to bridge those gaps and ensure that both returning and newly appointed party officials have the knowledge and skills necessary for a smooth nomination process,” she added.

Also speaking at the workshop, Mr. Samuel Omale, Assistant Director in the Legal Drafting and Clearance Department, described the training as a strategic intervention ahead of critical elections. He stressed that the exercise was not just routine but aimed at strengthening the understanding of the nomination guidelines as outlined in the Electoral Act.

“Our objective is to refresh political parties on the approved Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates and equip them with practical knowledge of the nomination process,” Omale said. “This includes live demonstrations on how to make timely and accurate submissions via the ICNP and addressing recurring errors seen in past elections.”

The training was divided into two groups to allow for more interactive and hands-on sessions, co-facilitated by officials from INEC’s Legal and ICT departments. The sessions also provided a platform for dialogue between the Commission and party representatives, allowing participants to seek clarifications and align on expectations.

Omale expressed optimism about the anticipated outcomes, which include improved accuracy in submissions, deeper understanding of the ICNP, and stronger collaboration between INEC and political parties.

Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu urged participants to take full advantage of the training and contribute meaningfully to the credibility of the electoral process.

“Our collective preparedness is a determinant of the overall success of elections,” she noted.

The refresher training reinforces INEC’s commitment to leveraging technology to strengthen electoral integrity, enhance compliance, and build the capacity of political stakeholders ahead of forthcoming elections.