INEC Taps 14 Political Associations to Advance to Next Phase of Registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that only 14 out of a staggering 171 political associations that applied for registration have met the preliminary requirements to proceed to the next stage. The decision was made following the commission’s regular meeting, where it also reviewed preparations for upcoming off-cycle elections.

In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, INEC confirmed that each application was rigorously assessed based on its compliance with Nigeria’s Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022. Of the total number of applications received, a remarkable 157 were rejected at this early stage for failing to meet the established legal and procedural standards.

According to Olumekun, the chairmen and secretaries of the pre-qualified associations have been invited to a briefing on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. The official statement reiterated that this initial clearance is not a guarantee of full registration. The commission will now begin the final, more intensive phase of physical verification to confirm the claims made by each association.

The associations that made the shortlist include the African Transformation Party, the All Democratic Alliance, the Citizens Democratic Alliance, the Green Future Party, and the Liberation People’s Party, among others. INEC maintains that its commitment to a continuous and fair registration process remains a priority, ensuring that only associations that fully comply with the legal framework are granted the final status of a political party.