The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed receiving 151 applications from associations seeking to register as political parties in Nigeria. This update comes after the commission received eight new letters of intent, bringing the total number of applications to 151.
According to Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission has begun shortlisting associations that meet the requirements to proceed to the next stage of registration. The list of applicants, including their proposed names, acronyms, logos, addresses, and interim leadership structures, has been uploaded to INEC’s website for public information.
Key Highlights:
– Number of Applications: 151 associations have applied for registration as political parties.
– Shortlisting Process: INEC has started shortlisting associations that meet the requirements for registration.
– Continuous Voter Registration: The commission has announced the resumption of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which will take place in 811 centres across the country.
– Registration Timeline: Online pre-registration will begin on August 18, while physical registration will commence on August 25.
Registration Details:
– Registration Centres: 811 centres nationwide, including 774 Local Government offices and 37 State and Federal Capital Territory offices.
– Registration Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., excluding public holidays.
– Registration Duration: Both online and in-person registrations will run concurrently until August 30, 2026.
INEC has assured Nigerians that the registration process will be transparent and fair, in accordance with the Electoral Act and Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties. The commission has also provided a 38-page document listing the addresses of all registration centres and dedicated telephone help lines for each state.