INEC Shortlists 14 Associations for Political Party Registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shortlisted 14 associations from 171 applicants seeking registration as political parties.

National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed this in a statement issued after the commission’s meeting on Thursday, September 11, 2025.

According to him, the associations scaled the initial screening based on provisions of Section 222 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 79 of the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022.

He noted that the remaining 157 applications were declined for failure to meet the legal requirements. The affected groups are to be formally notified within 24 hours.

Olumekun added that the names of the pre-qualified associations have been published on INEC’s official platforms, with their interim chairmen and secretaries expected at a briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

INEC further stated that it would conduct physical verification of all claims by the shortlisted groups before reaching a final decision on their registration status.