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 efforts to ensure a seamless candidate nomination process for the 2027 General Election.
The training, which is taking place from June 25 to 26 at The Electoral Institute (TEI), Abuja, is designed to equip political party officials responsible for candidate nomination and electronic submission of documents with the knowledge and skills required to effectively navigate the portal and comply with electoral guidelines.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Dr. Bayode Lawrence, represented by the Deputy Director of IT, Mrs. Anthonia Idemudia, said the programme aligns with INEC’s tradition of adequately preparing stakeholders for critical stages of the electoral process.
She explained that the exercise was intended to familiarise political party officials with the procedures for uploading candidates’ documents and other requirements necessary for participation in the 2027 General Election.
According to her, the training is particularly beneficial for officials handling the process for the first time, as it will help minimise avoidable mistakes and ensure a smooth nomination 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, Professor Ibrahim Sani, described candidate nomination as one of the most critical stages of the electoral process.
He noted that elections cannot take place without duly nominated candidates and urged political parties to fully understand and comply with all legal and procedural requirements governing the nomination 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.
Professor Sani explained that the Electoral Act 2026 places the responsibility on political parties to submit the particulars of their sponsored candidates within stipulated timelines and in the prescribed format.
He further disclosed 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 both timely and essential.
According to him, strict compliance during the nomination stage would help reduce disputes, improve certainty and strengthen 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 educate political parties on the approved Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates as stipulated in the Electoral Act 2026.
She explained that the programme would address challenges encountered during previous nomination exercises, reduce errors associated with the completion of nomination forms and improve compliance with electoral regulations.
Following the opening sessions, participants proceeded to breakout sessions where officials of the Legal Drafting and Compliance Department provided detailed guidance on the nomination guidelines and practical procedures for candidate submissions, while addressing areas requiring further clarification.
The training is expected to strengthen the capacity of political parties and enhance the efficiency of the candidate nomination process ahead of the 2027 General Election.
