7 Key Requirements Political Parties Must Meet Under Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2026

Political parties in Nigeria are preparing to adjust to new legal requirements following the signing of the Electoral Act 2026 into law on February 18, 2026.

The reforms are expected to shape preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) currently finalising revised Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties (2026 Edition).

INEC held a technical review workshop from March 4 to 6, 2026, as part of efforts to align the forthcoming guidelines with the new law before party primaries begin, which are expected to start around April 2026.

Under the new framework, political parties that fail to comply with key provisions risk penalties ranging from fines to the disqualification of candidates.

Here are seven major obligations parties must meet.

Maintain a digital membership register

Every registered political party must maintain a comprehensive electronic register of its members.

The database must include each member’s full name, gender, date of birth, residential address, state, local government area, ward, polling unit, National Identification Number (NIN) and passport photograph.

Under Section 77(2) of the Act, parties must also issue membership cards to all registered members.

Submit the register to INEC

Parties are required to submit both electronic and hard copies of their membership register to INEC before any internal electoral activity.

The law states that the register must reach the commission at least 21 days before a party holds primaries, congresses or conventions. For the 2027 election cycle, parties are expected to complete the submission by early April 2026.

Many parties are now working to digitise and verify their membership records to meet the requirement.

Use only the submitted register for party processes

The Electoral Act also makes it illegal for parties to rely on any register other than the one officially submitted to INEC.

Only members listed in the approved register can vote or contest in party primaries, congresses or conventions. Using a different list could lead to the cancellation of the entire process.

Adopt direct primaries or consensus for candidate selection

Delegate-based or indirect primaries have been abolished under the new law.

Parties must now choose candidates through either direct primaries, where all registered members vote, or through consensus arrangements.

However, consensus can only be used if all cleared aspirants provide written consent to step down in favour of the chosen candidate.

Failure to follow the approved nomination methods may invalidate a party’s candidate.

Submit audited election expense reports

Political parties must submit audited returns detailing all election-related spending within six months after an election.

The financial report must be signed by the party’s external auditors and countersigned by the national chairman. Non-compliance attracts a fine of up to ₦10 million.

Operate as corporate entities

The Electoral Act also formally recognises political parties as corporate bodies with perpetual succession and a common seal.

This means parties can sue and be sued in their own name and must maintain stronger governance systems, financial accountability and compliance with electoral laws.

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Meet new standards on inclusion and transparency

INEC’s upcoming guidelines are expected to introduce stricter benchmarks for internal democracy and inclusiveness.

Political parties will be required to improve the participation of women, youth and persons with disabilities in their structures. They will also be required to provide timely reports on congresses, rallies and campaign activities.

The electoral commission is expected to strengthen monitoring mechanisms to reduce disputes arising from party primaries.

The requirements are part of broader reforms aimed at improving transparency and internal democracy in Nigeria’s party system ahead of the 2027 elections. Parties that fail to meet the core conditions—particularly the digital membership register—risk losing the right to field candidates in the polls.