Abuja, July 16, 2025 —
In a renewed push to improve the accuracy and efficiency of political party nominations, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced a two-day refresher training workshop for party officials on the use of its digital Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP).
Held at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja, the training brought together key representatives from all registered political parties across the country. The initiative is part of INEC’s broader efforts to enhance transparency, reduce procedural errors, and strengthen institutional capacity ahead of upcoming bye-elections and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
In her opening remarks, National Commissioner and Chairperson of INEC’s Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints Committee (LSC&CC), Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, underscored the critical importance of getting the nomination process right.
“Nomination of candidates is not just an administrative step; it is a statutory obligation that forms the bedrock of credible elections,” she said. “Any error in the data or documentation submitted can jeopardize the candidacy and credibility of a political party.”
Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu noted that while INEC’s transition to a digital portal has greatly reduced paperwork and increased compliance, challenges persist. These include incomplete submissions, incorrect attachments, and staff turnover within political parties, which often leads to knowledge gaps.
“This refresher is therefore necessary—not only to update returning officials but to bring new personnel up to speed with both the legal requirements and technical aspects of candidate nomination,” she added.
Speaking during one of the sessions, Mr. Samuel Omale, Assistant Director in INEC’s Legal Drafting and Clearance Department, described the workshop as “a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening the institutional knowledge of party officials.”
He explained that the sessions were structured to offer practical, hands-on training with live demonstrations of the ICNP interface. “We want party officials to be fully conversant with how to upload documents, verify entries, and meet deadlines without errors,” Omale said.
The workshop was jointly facilitated by INEC’s Legal and ICT departments, which also provided step-by-step guidance and addressed real-time queries from participants. Officials were split into two groups to allow for deeper engagement, technical drills, and personalized feedback.
According to Omale, key deliverables of the training include improved accuracy in candidate data submissions, faster processing times, and reduced risk of disqualification due to procedural faults. He stressed the importance of building trust between political stakeholders and the electoral body through openness and collaboration.
INEC officials also used the opportunity to gather feedback and suggestions from political parties, signaling a more consultative approach going forward. “This is not just a lecture; it’s a dialogue,” Omale emphasized.
In closing, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu urged party officials to take the training seriously and cascade the knowledge to others within their party structures. “As political actors, our collective preparedness is crucial to the integrity and credibility of the elections. Let us not fail the process,” she said.
The refresher training reaffirms INEC’s commitment to leveraging technology in enhancing electoral integrity, while also fostering inclusive participation and stakeholder confidence in Nigeria’s democratic processes.
With the next electoral cycle drawing nearer, this latest initiative signals INEC’s readiness to ensure that no technical or procedural lapse undermines the fairness of future polls.
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