The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the receipt of 110 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties in Nigeria.
The confirmation came on Wednesday from INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during the Commission’s second regular consultative meeting with media executives at its headquarters in Abuja.
Prof. Yakubu stated that all but six of the applications had been officially acknowledged, and processing was ongoing in accordance with the Electoral Act and the Commission’s 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
Addressing concerns from some quarters alleging bias and delay, Yakubu described such accusations as “unfounded and misleading.”
“Clearly, one of the topical issues on election administration in our country today is the status of the letters of intent… that the Commission is equivocating in a manner that compromises our independence. Nothing can be further from the truth,” Yakubu asserted.
He recalled similar criticisms in 2013, when INEC was wrongly accused of frustrating opposition party mergers. He emphasized the Commission’s commitment to fairness and legality, regardless of the status of applicants.
“We will treat all requests fairly, irrespective of the status of their promoters be they ordinary or prominent citizens,” he declared.
The INEC chairman highlighted that the current Commission holds the record for registering the highest number of political parties in Nigeria’s history.
In the 2019 general elections, 91 political parties were registered, with 73 presidential candidates, he recalled. Following that election, INEC deregistered over 70 parties for failing to meet performance benchmarks, as allowed under constitutional provisions.
Yakubu added:
“As of Monday, 23rd June 2025, the Commission has received letters of intent from 110 associations that wish to register as political parties. We have acknowledged all except six recent submissions, which will be processed this week.”
Prof. Yakubu urged all interested associations and the public to consult the INEC 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, which is available on the Commission’s official website, for full details on eligibility and procedural requirements.
He reiterated that INEC remains independent, transparent, and fair in handling political party registrations as Nigeria moves toward the 2027 general elections.
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