The Chairman of the Election and Party Monitoring Committee (EMPC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr. Baba Bila, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability and institutional capacity ahead of the 2027 General Election through the deployment of technology-driven electoral reforms.
Dr. Baba Bila stated this while declaring open a training programme for Heads of Department, Election and Party Monitoring (EPM) from the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), alongside leaders of political parties, on the Political Finance Reporting and Audit System (PFRAS) and the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2026, held at Bon Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State.
He described the training as “timely and strategic,” noting that the Commission was intensifying preparations towards the 2027 General Election by strengthening institutional capacity, deepening stakeholder understanding of electoral processes and enhancing compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks guiding political parties and election management in Nigeria.
According to him, the Political Party Finance Reporting and Audit System (PFRAS) represents a major milestone in INEC’s ongoing electoral reform efforts aimed at improving transparency, accountability and regulatory oversight in political finance administration.
“Political finance remains one of the most critical pillars of any democratic process. Public confidence in elections is often linked to the transparency and accountability associated with campaign financing, party expenditure and regulatory compliance,” he said.
Dr. Baba Bila explained that the PFRAS platform was carefully developed to provide a technology-driven framework for the submission, monitoring and auditing of political finance reports by political parties, adding that the system would enhance operational efficiency and strengthen public trust in the electoral process.
He further noted that the Commission recognises that the future of election administration increasingly depends on the effective deployment of technology to improve transparency, reduce operational challenges and support data-driven decision-making.
The EMPC Chairman commended the Department of Election and Party Monitoring (EPM) for driving implementation and stakeholder engagement on the initiative, citing the recent practical training conducted for officers in Ekiti State ahead of the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election as evidence of the Commission’s proactive preparations.
Dr. Baba Bila also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between INEC and political parties, stressing that credible elections are built through continuous preparation, effective regulation, responsible political conduct and strict adherence to established procedures.
“The Commission remains fully committed to delivering credible, transparent and inclusive elections in line with its constitutional mandate,” he stated, while urging participants to actively engage in the training and utilise the knowledge gained to strengthen electoral administration and political party compliance at both national and state levels.
