INEC Confirms Receipt of 110 Applications for New Political Parties

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it has received 110 applications from political associations seeking registration as political parties in Nigeria. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement on Wednesday during the Commission’s second regular consultative meeting with media executives at its Abuja headquarters.

Yakubu clarified that all but six of the applications have been acknowledged and are undergoing evaluation in accordance with the Electoral Act and INEC’s 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

“As of Monday, 23rd June 2025, the Commission has received letters of intent from 110 associations that wish to register as political parties,” Yakubu stated.
“We have acknowledged all requests received so far, except six recently received, which will be done before the end of the week.”

INEC Denies Bias in Party Registration

Reacting to recent criticisms alleging bias or delay in processing the applications, Yakubu firmly rejected the claims as “unfounded and misleading.”

“Clearly, one of the topical issues on election administration in our country today is the status of the letters of intent… amidst partisan insinuations that the Commission is equivocating in a manner that compromises our independence,” he said.
“Nothing can be further from the truth.”

He cited similar accusations in 2013, when INEC faced allegations of obstructing the merger of opposition parties, but noted that the Commission ultimately approved the mergers that led to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Historical Context and Future Outlook

Prof. Yakubu noted that the current INEC administration holds the record for registering the highest number of political parties in Nigerian history. The 2019 general elections featured 91 registered parties and 73 presidential candidates, prompting both acclaim for inclusiveness and criticism over ballot complexity.

Following the elections, INEC deregistered over 70 political parties for failing to meet constitutional requirements, particularly in terms of electoral performance.

Yakubu reiterated INEC’s commitment to fairness and legality in party registration:

“We will treat all requests fairly, irrespective of the status of their promoters—be they ordinary or prominent citizens.”

He encouraged aspiring political associations and stakeholders to consult the Commission’s official website for the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties (2022) to ensure compliance with all procedural and legal requirements.