•Rejects 157 applicants
By Caleb Ishaya, Abuja
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the shortlisting of 14 out of 171 associations seeking political party registration.
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, who made the announcement in a statement in Abuja, said the decision followed a meeting during which the commission reviewed preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections, the end-of-tenure Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory, and considered reports on fresh applications for party registration.
Olumekun, said that the shortlisted associations met the initial requirements outlined in Section 222 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 79 of the Electoral Act 2022, and the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022.
On the other hand 157 applications were rejected for failing to meet the threshold.
INEC added that it will carry out physical verification of all claims made by the shortlisted groups before taking a final decision on their registration status.
Meanwhile, names of the pre-qualified associations have been published on INEC’s website and other official platforms. Their interim chairmen and secretaries are expected to attend a briefing at INEC Headquarters, Abuja, next Wednesday.
