Party Registration: Independent National Electoral Commission Disqualifies Six More Political Groups
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken a further step in its evaluation of associations seeking official registration as political parties — announcing that six additional associations have been disqualified for failing to meet required criteria.
This decision follows a larger review in which INEC rejected 157 applications and cleared just 14 associations for the next stage of registration.
🔍 What’s the Situation?
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On 11 September 2025, INEC announced that out of 171 associations vying for registration, only 14 met the initial screening requirements, and 157 failed.
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The newly disqualified six groups are part of this broader set of associations that did not satisfy legal and regulatory standards, including provisions in Section 222 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 79 of the Electoral Act, 2022.
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INEC’s criteria include, among others: open membership, national spread (offices in two-thirds of states), acceptable constitution, non-ethnic or region-specific name or symbol.
⚠ Why It Matters
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Quality over quantity: By narrowing down the number of associations eligible to become parties, INEC appears focused on reducing proliferation of weak or non-viable parties and ensuring that only groups with credible structure and national reach are permitted.
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Political implications: Some of the aspiring associations had backing or expectations of becoming alternatives or challengers ahead of the next general election. Their disqualification shifts the competitive landscape for future elections.
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Legal and procedural clarity: The exercise highlights the importance of strict adherence to registration regulations, emphasizing that political parties must meet structural and operational standards, not just pay fees or adopt names.
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Transparency & trust: Public clarity on which associations are disqualified—and why—can help improve trust in the registration process, provided INEC publishes full details and reasoning.
✅ What to Watch Next
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Publication of names: INEC will need to officially publish the names of the six disqualified associations along with the specific reasons for disqualification to maintain transparency.
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Appeals or reactions: Disqualified groups may challenge the decision or appeal, which could lead to legal proceedings or revisions in INEC’s guidelines.
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Progress of the 14 cleared associations: The next phase involves physical verification and further checks; whether these groups will be fully registered remains to be seen.
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Impacts on 2027 elections: How many new parties emerge, contest credibly, and affect electorate choices will become more visible as the registration process unfolds.
👉 For deeper analysis and full list of cleared and rejected associations, visit my blog
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