INEC Advances Registration of New Parties - Political Landscape Set to Expand

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that 14 political associations have met the initial requirements to proceed to the next stage of party registration, potentially increasing the total number of recognized parties in Nigeria to 33. This move comes after INEC's decision to deregister 74 out of 92 political parties for failing to meet constitutional requirements.

INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu cited the failure of some parties to secure the minimum electoral threshold as the reason for the deregistration. The associations that have scaled the first hurdle include the Democratic Alliance (ADA), African Transformation Party (ATP), and others.

INEC received a total of 171 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties.