The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has convened a meeting with leaders of political parties at its headquarters in Abuja to unveil and deliberate on new electoral guidelines ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting brought together party chairmen, secretaries, and other key representatives from across the political spectrum. Notable attendees included Nenadi Usman of the Labour Party, as well as Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu, who represented the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Discussions at the meeting centred on newly drafted electoral guidelines designed to govern the conduct of the 2027 polls. The review follows the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which has necessitated updates to existing procedures.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, said the revised guidelines are fully aligned with the provisions of the new electoral law, emphasising that political parties and stakeholders must adapt to the evolving framework rather than rely on outdated regulations.
As part of its preparations, the commission also outlined plans for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. Online pre-registration is scheduled to commence on August 18, 2025, followed by in-person registration from August 25, 2025, enabling eligible Nigerians to 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, in a move to enhance the credibility of the electoral roll.
Debate continues around broader electoral reforms, particularly provisions in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, including the Senate’s position on the real-time electronic transmission of results to INEC’s Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
Meanwhile, political activities are intensifying ahead of the elections. Bola Tinubu has secured endorsement from the All Progressives Congress (APC) for a second term, while opposition figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Peter Obi are exploring a coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to challenge the ruling party.
