By Charles Ayodele
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun training auditors, treasurers, and candidates of political parties ahead of the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State gubernatorial election on the use of the Political Party Financial Reporting and Analysis System (PRFRAS) for campaign finance reporting.
Speaking at the workshop in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said the engagement was timely and critical as the election approaches. He emphasized that political parties and candidates must fully understand their obligations under campaign finance regulations.
“Transparency and accountability in political financing are not optional but fundamental pillars of credible elections and democratic integrity,” Omoseyindemi said.
He noted that INEC introduced PRFRAS as a technology-driven platform to simplify, standardize, and strengthen compliance with campaign finance requirements. Through the system, parties are expected to submit accurate, timely, and verifiable financial reports in line with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
Omoseyindemi stressed that maintaining proper financial records is mandatory and that reports must be submitted within the stipulated timelines. He warned that failure to comply would attract sanctions as provided by law.
“Our goal is not punitive but preventive. This workshop is part of our broader effort to guide and support you toward full compliance. PRFRAS is designed to make the process easier, but compliance rests with you. Non-compliance will attract sanctions,” he stated.
Resource person Oye Asuko said the workshop aims to equip participants with knowledge on campaign finance reporting and ensure accurate documentation of expenditures through PRFRAS.
Barrister Mustapha Abubakar, Head of Election and Party Monitoring at INEC Ekiti, outlined the legal spending limits under the Electoral Act: ₦10 billion for presidential candidates, ₦3 billion for governorship candidates, ₦500 million for Senate, ₦250 million for the House of Representatives, ₦100 million for State Assembly, ₦60 million for chairmanship, and ₦10 million for councillorship.
He added that any candidate who knowingly violates these limits commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of 1% of the permitted expenditure limit, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.
The workshop was attended by the Ekiti INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, Barrister Mustapha Abubakar, and other officials including Kehinde Mustapha and Mas’ud Hassan. Representatives of 13 political parties participating in the election were also present, including APC, PDP, LP, ADC, NNPP, YPP, ADP, APP, AAC, ACC, APM, Accord Party, and PRP.
