INEC Disqualifies 157 Aspiring Political Parties, Invites 14 for Screening

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disqualified 157 associations that had applied to become registered political parties in Nigeria, while 14 associations have been invited for further screening.

This decision follows a comprehensive assessment of 171 applications submitted to INEC, aimed at ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s legal and regulatory framework for political parties. According to INEC’s spokesperson, Sam Olumekun, the disqualification was based on the applicants’ failure to meet the requirements set out in Section 222 of the Nigerian Constitution, Section 79 of the Electoral Act 2022, and the Commission’s 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

The 14 associations that passed the initial screening have been scheduled for a briefing at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 11 a.m. During this session, the interim chairpersons and secretaries of these associations are expected to upload specific information to INEC’s online portal. This will be followed by a physical verification exercise to confirm the authenticity of the claims submitted. The final decision on whether these associations will be officially registered as political parties will be made after this verification process.

INEC emphasized that party registration is an ongoing process, and the Commission will continue to accept and assess applications from associations that meet the established legal criteria.