Political parties in Nigeria serve as critical mediators between civil society and governmental policies, shaping electoral processes that involve various activities and regulatory frameworks. Since the establishment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 1999, there have been varying degrees of improvements in party primaries and election conduct, despite ongoing challenges such as funding issues and electoral malpractices. Ultimately, while political parties are essential for democratic governance, their adherence to ethical practices and transparency remains a significant concern in promoting credible elections.

1. POLITICAL PARTY AND CONTEMPORARY ELECTORAL PROCESS ,
THE MAIN ISSUES, CHALLENGES /SUCCESS
BY
ELECTION POLITICAL PARTY MONITORING DEPARTMENT
INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION
RIVERS STATE.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
DR. DANIEL NTUI
SEPTEMBER, 2024.

2. INTRODUCTION
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What is political Party:
Political Parties are often described as institutionalized mediator between civil society and those
who decide and implement decisions. All in all, it can be said that in democratic contexts,
political parties are the vehicles that articulate the interests and values of the population
towards governmental policies through electoral processes.
What is Electoral Process:
It encompasses activities before, during and after elections. It includes the legal and
constitutional framework of elections, the registration of political parties, party primaries, party
campaigns, the activities of print and electronic media in terms of access; it also includes
campaign financing, the activities of security agencies and attitude of government in power. It
includes the authenticity of genuineness of the voters’ register ; it include the independence or
lack of lack of it of the electoral agencies and its organs. It includes the liberalism or otherwise of
the political process in the country and the independence of the adjudicating bodies of the
election (Iyayi, 2007:1). In essence, the electoral process involves interplay of series of activities.

3. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS IN POLITICAL PARTIES
SINCE INEC'S INCEPTION IN 1999:
1999-2003: - Party primaries: minimal regulation, often chaotic
- Candidate selection: often influenced by godfathers and party leaders
- Elections: marred by violence, rigging, and malpractices
2003-2007: - INEC introduces guidelines for party primaries.
- Parties begin to adopt more democratic primary processes.
- Elections: still marred by irregularities, but some improvements noted
2007-2011: - Party primaries: more regulated, but still often contentious
- Candidate selection: more emphasis on consensus and compromise
- Elections: notable improvements in conduct, but still some irregularities
2011-2015: - INEC introduces new guidelines for party primaries and elections
- Parties adopt more transparent and inclusive primary processes
- Elections: significant improvements in conduct, with some exceptions
2015-2019: - Party primaries: more competitive, with increased emphasis on direct primaries
- Candidate selection: more emphasis on merit and grassroots support
- Elections: notable improvements in conduct, with some exceptions
2019-present: - INEC introduces new technologies (e.g., card readers, Nomination Platform) to enhance
electoral process
- Parties registered adopt more inclusive and transparent primary processes
- Elections: continued improvements in conduct, with some exceptions
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4. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
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Election and Political Party Monitoring
Election Monitoring
and Observation
Political Party
Monitoring and
Liaison
Party Finances
Election Observation
Party
Liaison
Records
Monitoring
Tracking
of Party
Finances
Tracking of
Party
Campaign
Finances

5. Based on the objectives of this study the electoral process comprises of
Pre Election Activities of Political Party
Monitoring of primary, congress, convention, (headquarters Abuja) (Ipac meetings with the departments) Refer Electoral Act 2022
as amended, on campaign finance, campaign monitoring
Monitoring of Television jingles,, Radio and adverts. Billboards, posters and political venue of some selected major political parties
in the states.
Radio Jingles
Number of times/minute in a day (major party)
Television
Number of times/minute in a day (major party)
Posters
Billboard 20inches by 60inches (format) = size
Election Proper
• Distribution of Party and Agent tag, Collation, Observers (Local, Foreign)
• Meeting with Ipac members
• Briefing with Observers
• Clearing of political party Agents, collation officers
Post Election
Monitoring of Ipac Executive Election
Collection of reports writing for onward submission to Abuja 4

6. 5
EXPLORING THE CHALLENGES / SUCCESS
The funding of political parties and campaign financing occupies a good part of the module, as these are among the
most challenging issues in both well-established and emerging democracies. Financing systems, legal frameworks of
control, sanctioning powers as well as audit and reporting.
The last election have seen a significant increase in attempts to regulate money in politics, through disclosure
requirements, various bans and limits, and the provision of public funding
Legal limits on party funding and campaign expenditures have been used in some countries to avoid excessive or
disproportionate increases in the cost of electoral campaigning. Such measures can also limit inequalities between
political parties, and may deter improper influence or corruption. Expenditure limits could also be seen as a means to
deter or ideally prevent candidates or parties from ‘vote buying’.
Independent institution responsible for receiving, examining and auditing financial reports from political parties and
candidates, should have the power not only to monitor candidates and parties’ accounts and investigate potential
political finance violations, but also to sanction where there is non-compliance with the law.
Success:
Relevant elements related to electoral process:
• Party registration: With 91 political parties, the monitoring of party primaries Congresses, and nomination was not
an easy task.
• Funding of political parties: It is regulated by law and has been fully implemented. The EMB has attempted to
become more transparent with regards to this issue.
• Role of civil society: Civil society organisations have been playing an important role in election activities and their
relationship with the EMB has kept improving.

7. 6
CONCLUSION
Political Parties constitute one of the critical elements of the electoral process and democracy as they
serve as platforms where credible citizenship representation can be processed and provide policy
choices for the people.
Indeed, political parties are central instruments for mass mobilization for the citizenry for an all-
inclusive process of democratic governance. Parties under aliberal democratic system are expected to
deepen democracy by ensuring credible, transparent, free and fair electoral process which would
advance public welfare in line with their manifestos and ideologies. However, experiences of lack of
adherence to procedures, godfatherism, disrespect for rules and laws,
manipulation and abuse of system, malpractices and several other unethical behavior by
political parties in Nigeria over the years cast doubt as regards the relevance of political parties in
promoting credible and transparent electoral process and democracy in Nigeria.