By Nkechi Eze
In a bid to strengthen electoral integrity and reduce procedural errors in candidate nominations, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has organized a two-day refresher training workshop for political party officials on the use of its Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP). The workshop commenced on Wednesday, 16th July 2025, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The training brought together key representatives from registered political parties across the country, including those who had previously participated in similar sessions ahead of the 2023 General Election. It is part of INEC’s strategic efforts to consolidate the gains made in the digital nomination process and prepare political parties for upcoming bye-elections and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
In her welcome address, National Commissioner and Chairperson of the Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints Committee (LSC&CC), Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, underscored the critical role of accurate and timely 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 said.
She acknowledged the progress made with the deployment of the ICNP, especially in reducing paperwork and enhancing compliance. However, she noted that political parties still grapple with recurrent challenges, including incomplete form submissions, improper document uploads, and frequent personnel turnover among those responsible for handling nominations.
“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,” Agbamuche-Mbu added, urging participants to take full advantage of the opportunity.
Also speaking at the workshop, Mr. Samuel Omale, Assistant Director in the Legal Drafting and Clearance Department, highlighted the strategic importance of the training. He explained that it was not just a routine exercise, but a timely intervention tailored to deepen the capacity of political party officials ahead of future electoral engagements.
“The objective is to refresh political parties on the approved Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates as outlined in the Electoral Act, 2022, while equipping them with practical knowledge of the nomination process,” he stated. Omale further emphasized the need for a clear understanding of INEC’s internal procedures, noting that the sessions featured live demonstrations on how to make correct and timely submissions via the ICNP.
He added that the training was designed to address common mistakes observed in past exercises, foster open dialogue between INEC and party officials, and ensure mutual understanding. “Ultimately, this is about ensuring that we reduce errors and build confidence in the nomination process going forward,” Omale said.
To promote effective learning, participants were divided into smaller groups for more interactive and hands-on sessions. The training was jointly facilitated by the Commission’s Legal and ICT Departments, who also assured participants of continued support and guidance beyond the workshop.
Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu concluded by charging party officials to make the most of the training, stressing that “our collective preparedness is a determinant of the overall success of the electoral process.”
