INEC trains political parties, EPM heads on finance reporting system ahead of 2027 elections
Lagos, Nigeria, May 12, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission has commenced training for political party leaders and Heads of Department, Election and Party Monitoring (EPM), on the Political Finance Reporting and Audit System (PFRAS) as part of preparations for the 2027 General Elections.
The training programme, held at Bon Hotel Ikeja Residence, brought together EPM heads from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory alongside representatives of political parties.
Speaking at the opening of the programme, the Chairman of INEC’s Election and Party Monitoring Committee, Baba Bila, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability, and institutional capacity through technology-driven electoral reforms.
He described the training as timely and strategic, noting that the Commission was intensifying preparations for the 2027 elections by improving stakeholder understanding of electoral processes and enhancing compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks guiding political parties.
According to him, the Political Finance Reporting and Audit System represents a major milestone in INEC’s efforts to improve transparency and accountability in political finance administration.
Dr. Bila stated that political finance remains a critical pillar of democracy, stressing that public confidence in elections is closely linked to transparency in campaign financing, party expenditure, and regulatory compliance.
He explained that the PFRAS platform was developed to provide a technology-based framework for the submission, monitoring, and auditing of political finance reports by political parties, adding that the system would improve operational efficiency and strengthen public trust in the electoral process.
The INEC official further noted that the future of election administration increasingly depends on effective deployment of technology to reduce operational challenges and support data-driven decision-making.
He also commended the Department of Election and Party Monitoring for advancing implementation and stakeholder engagement on the initiative, citing practical training earlier conducted in Ekiti State ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Dr. Bila emphasised the importance of stronger collaboration between INEC and political parties, maintaining that credible elections require continuous preparation, responsible political conduct, effective regulation, and adherence to established procedures.
He urged participants to actively engage in the training and apply the knowledge gained towards strengthening electoral administration and political party compliance across the country.
