The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved 14 associations to proceed to the next stage of registration as political parties, while 157 others failed to meet preliminary requirements.
The decision followed the Commission’s regular meeting held on Thursday, September 11, 2025, where preparations for the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the end-of-tenure Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were also reviewed.
In a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the Commission disclosed that it received a total of 171 applications for registration. Each request, it said, was assessed for prima facie compliance with the provisions of Section 222 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 79 of the Electoral Act 2022, and the Commission’s 2022 Guidelines for Political Parties.
“Out of the total number of applications received, 14 associations have met the requirements to proceed to the next stage while 157 have not. The Commission shall officially communicate the decision arising from today’s meeting to all the associations in the next 24 hours,” Olumekun stated.
The Commission further announced that the list of pre-qualified associations had been published on its website and other official platforms for public information. Interim chairmen and secretaries of the 14 associations have been invited to a briefing scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, at INEC headquarters in Abuja.
INEC explained that the next phase will include physical verification of claims by the associations in line with its regulations, after which a final decision on their registrability will be made.
The Commission emphasized that registration of political parties remains a continuous process under the law, noting that more applications will still be considered as long as they meet the criteria stipulated by the Constitution, Electoral Act, and its guidelines.
