Determined to minimize procedural errors in candidate nominations, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has Organised a two-day training on the operation of its Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP) for party officials.
Held on Wednesday at INEC Headquarters in Abuja, the training brought together key representatives from registered political parties.
The workshop was aimed at consolidating achievements from previous election cycles and ensure a more efficient, transparent, and technologically seamless nomination process in preparation for upcoming bye-elections and the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections.
In her welcome address,
National Commissioner and Chairperson of the Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints Committee (LSC&CC), May Agbamuche-Mbu, emphasized the importance 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.
“An error in the submission of personal particulars of candidates by political parties can be potentially detrimental to both the party and its candidate, she stated.”
Agbamuche-Mbu disclosed that despite progress with the ICNP in reducing paperwork and improving compliance, political parties still face challenges such as incomplete form submissions, improper document attachments, and frequent turnover of personnel managing the nomination process.
“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,” she added.
Agbamuche-Mbu urged party officials to maximize the training, noting that “our collective preparedness is a determinant of the overall success of the electoral process.”
Assistant Director in the Legal Drafting and Clearance Department, Samuel Omale, said the workshop was not a routine exercise, but a timely intervention to deepen the capacity of political party officials.
“The objective,” he explained, “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.”
The workshop reaffirms INEC’s commitment to using technology to strengthen electoral integrity, improve compliance, and build capacity among political actors, to ensure credible and inclusive elections.
