As the 2027 general election draws nearer, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Thursday that it has received 12 new applications from groups seeking registration as political parties. This brings the total number of applications submitted so far to 122.
Interestingly, a secretary of one of the applicant associations was reported to have switched allegiance to another group, despite the fact that neither of the associations has yet been formally registered.
INEC has therefore urged the leaders of these aspiring political associations to ensure consistency in their leadership structures, warning that internal instability could cause unnecessary delays in the processing of their applications.
In a statement issued by Mr Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the Commission revealed that during its routine weekly meeting, it reviewed a number of issues. Among them were the proper interpretation of Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 and the ongoing assessment of party registration requests.
He stated: “The proviso to Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 grants the Commission authority to review any election declaration or return that was not made voluntarily or was conducted in violation of the law, regulations, or guidelines.”
“As a result, various interpretations of Section 65 have emerged, prompting the Commission to exercise its legal mandate by issuing Regulations, Guidelines, or Manuals to clarify and implement the Act effectively.”
He further noted that clear procedures and timelines have now been established, with the specifics outlined in Supplementary No. 1 to the main Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022.