The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a two-day training programme for political party officials on the use of the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP), as part of efforts to ensure a seamless candidate nomination process ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The training, which is taking place from June 25 to 26 at The Electoral Institute, is designed to equip political party officials responsible for candidate nomination and electronic submission of documents with the knowledge and skills required to effectively utilize the portal.
Speaking at the opening of the programme, the Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Bayode Lawrence, represented by Deputy Director of IT, Anthonia Idemudia, said the training aligns with the Commission’s commitment to preparing stakeholders for critical electoral activities.
According to her, the exercise is intended to familiarize political party officials with the procedures for uploading and submitting the documents of candidates nominated to contest various elective positions in the 2027 General Election.
She noted that the training would be particularly beneficial to officials participating in the nomination process for the first time, helping to minimize errors and ensure a smooth nomination exercise.
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of National Commissioner and Chairperson of the Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints Committee, May Agbamuche-Mbu, the Acting Director-General of The Electoral Institute, Ibrahim Sani, described candidate nomination as one of the most critical stages of the electoral 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.
Prof. Sani emphasized that the Electoral Act 2026 places responsibility on political parties to submit details of their candidates within stipulated timelines and in the prescribed format, stressing that compliance would help reduce disputes and strengthen confidence in the electoral process.
He noted that INEC had already released its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election, with candidate nomination expected to commence on June 27, 2026.
According to him, proper adherence to nomination procedures will enhance transparency, promote certainty, and contribute to the successful conduct of the elections.
Also speaking, the Director of Legal Drafting and Compliance, Rakiya Na’Uzo Adamu, said the programme was specifically designed to train political parties on the approved Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates as stipulated under the Electoral Act 2026.
INEC said the initiative forms part of broader preparations aimed at ensuring a credible, efficient, and dispute-free electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
