The Independent National Electoral Commission has disclosed that it has obtained 12 additional applications from organizations seeking registration as political parties, raising the total number of applications being reviewed to 122.
This follows the commission’s previous statement on June 23, noting that it had received 110 applications.
The newly added associations include the Democratic Alternative Party, I Love Nigeria, Integrity Party of Nigeria, National Youth Progressive Party, Providence People’s Congress, Democratic Nigeria, United Nigeria Development Party, Alliance for a United Nigeria, African Independent Alliance, Greater Nigeria Movement, African Liberation Party, and Nigeria Farmers & Traders Progressive Party.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC highlighted that the registration process continues to be transparent and equitable for all applicants.
“On Monday last week (23rd June 2025), the commission announced that it had received applications from 110 associations seeking registration as political parties.
“We also assured Nigerians that we will be giving regular updates on the matter. The commission is processing these applications transparently and in fairness to all applicants.
“Meanwhile, the commission has since received 12 more applications for registration as political parties as of yesterday, Wednesday 2nd July 2025, bringing the total number of applications to 122.
“The list of the new applications by names of associations, their acronyms, addresses, and interim chairmen and secretaries has been uploaded to our website and other platforms for public information.
“We will respond to these applicants in line with the Electoral Act and Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022,” he stated.
INEC noted internal changes in some applicant associations, including the replacement of an interim secretary in one instance due to defection to another group.
The commission advised all applicants to maintain consistent leadership and contact details during the registration process to prevent delays.
“However, the commission notes that one association has already changed its interim Secretary as a result of defection to another association.
“To facilitate the consideration of these applications, the commission appeals to associations to maintain consistency of their proposed leadership and addresses so that they do not by their actions cause a delay to the timely consideration of their applications,” the statement added.
In connection with this, INEC issued Supplementary Regulations and Guidelines for reviewing election results, as provided under Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022.
The section permits INEC to examine declarations or returns that were made under duress or in breach of applicable laws and regulations.
“The provision to Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 empowers the commission to review declarations and returns in elections that are not made voluntarily or done contrary to the law, regulations and guidelines for the election.
“Consequently, there have been many interpretations of Section 65 of the Electoral Act, making it necessary for the commission to use its powers under the law to issue regulations, guidelines or manuals to give effect to the provisions of the Act and for its administration,” the statement added.
It stated that clear procedures and timelines had been outlined, as detailed in Supplementary No.1 to the main regulations and guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022.
“As approved by the commission, the supplementary regulations and guidelines have been uploaded to the commission’s website and other platforms for public information,” the statement noted.
INEC also continued to highlight various irregularities in the applications received so far.
Some associations submitted duplicate acronyms, while others failed to include essential party officials.
Forty applications lacked a protem national secretary, five were submitted without a protem chairman, and seven were missing both positions.
Additionally, four associations did not provide an official contact address, while one application omitted a party logo.
Notably, three proposed parties — the New Green Generation Party, New Green Congress, and New Green Coalition Party — named the same individuals as interim officials.
The Republican Party of Nigeria filed two separate applications, each listing different leaders and addresses.
INEC restated that all submissions would be reviewed in accordance with the Electoral Act and its internal guidelines before a final decision is made.
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