INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION AND THE CHALLENGES OF MONITORING CAMPAIGN FINANCING IN NIGERIA: ASSESSMENT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS

Abstract

Campaign financing has become a phenomenon in the Nigeria’s electioneering process since 1999. This study examines roles of Independent National Electoral Commission in monitoring campaign financing during the 2023 general elections in Nigeria. It highlights the challenges faced by INEC in enforcing compliance with existing regulations designed to ensure transparency and accountability in campaign funding. The study relied on secondary sources of data collection. The secondary data was sourced from textbooks, journals, official publications, magazines, newspapers, and the internet. Data was analyzed using content and descriptive analysis. The study adopts structural functional theory as the theoretical framework for analysis. Findings reveals, that INEC faced significant challenges, which include inadequate legal frameworks, limited resources, inadequate manpower and skilled staff, lack of transparency, and complexities in tracking campaign funds and expenses. These challenges hindered INEC’s ability to ensure compliance with campaign finance regulations, potentially undermining the integrity of the electoral process. The findings of this study contribute to the ongoing debate on campaign finance reform in Nigeria, providing valuable insights for policymakers, electoral management bodies, and stakeholders. The research recommends targeted reforms to enhance INEC’s capacity to monitor campaign financing, promote transparency, and ensure the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.