INEC Issues Update on New Political Party Registrations and Election Result Review Guidelines

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released updates concerning the registration of new political parties and issued supplementary regulations and guidelines for the review of election results.

Following its regular weekly meeting held on Thursday, INEC addressed two key matters: clarifying the procedure for reviewing election results and providing a progress report on the registration of new political parties. These issues were part of ongoing engagements with stakeholders last week, during which INEC had promised to provide further information.

Under the proviso to Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022, INEC is empowered to review declarations and returns from elections that are deemed unlawful or not voluntarily made, based on existing laws and electoral guidelines. The section has attracted varying interpretations, prompting INEC to issue additional regulations to clarify and enforce the Act’s provisions.

“A clear procedure and timelines have now been provided,” the Commission stated. “These are detailed in Supplementary No. 1 to the main Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022.” According to a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the new supplementary guidelines have been uploaded to INEC’s website and other platforms for public access.

On the matter of political party registration, INEC confirmed that it is reviewing applications “transparently and in fairness to all applicants.” As of Wednesday, July 2, 2025, the Commission had received 12 additional applications for registration, bringing the total to 122.

“The list of these applications, including the names of the associations, their acronyms, addresses, and interim chairmen and secretaries, is now available on our website and other platforms,” the statement added. “We will respond to these applicants in line with the Electoral Act and the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.”

INEC also disclosed that one of the associations has already replaced its interim secretary following a defection to another group. The Commission urged applicant associations to ensure consistency in their leadership and contact information to avoid delays in the processing of their applications.