By Joy Odor
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has organized a two-day refresher training workshop on its Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP) for party officials.
The training, held at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja, aimed to enhance the capacity of political parties and minimize procedural errors in candidate nominations.
The workshop seeks to consolidate achievements from previous cycles and ensure a more efficient, transparent, and technologically seamless nomination process.
In her welcome address, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, the National Commissioner and Chairperson of the Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints Committee (LSC&CC) emphasized the importance of accurate and timely nominations in the electoral process, noting that errors can be detrimental to both parties and candidates.
According to her, the training addresses common challenges faced by political parties, including incomplete form submissions, improper document attachments, and frequent turnover of personnel managing the nomination process.
She informed that the workshop provides practical knowledge of the nomination process and familiarizes party officials with INEC’s internal procedures.
Mrs. May opined that INEC expects the training to result in better understanding of the portal, improved accuracy in submissions, and a more collaborative framework between INEC and political parties.
– *Reducing Errors:* The commission aims to reduce errors and build confidence in the nomination process, ensuring credible and inclusive elections.
Samuel Omale, the Assistant Director in the Legal Drafting and Clearance Department in his contribution outlined the purpose and strategic focus of the refresher training for political party officials on the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP).
He ascertained that the training aimed to refresh political parties on the approved Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates as outlined in the Electoral Act, 2022.
Omole mentioned that the workshop equips party officials with practical knowledge of the nomination process and enhances their familiarity with INEC’s internal procedures.
He also maintained that the training is expected to result in a better understanding of the ICNP, Improved accuracy in submissions, Establishment of a more collaborative framework between INEC and political parties and reduce errors and build confidence in the nomination process.
