The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it has received 12 additional applications from groups seeking registration as political parties, increasing the total number of applications to 122.
This update was made public in a statement released on Thursday by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
He disclosed that the new submissions were received as of Wednesday, July 2, 2025, following an earlier batch of 110 applications announced on June 23.
Olumekun assured the public that all applications are being handled with transparency and in line with existing laws and guidelines.
“The Commission is processing these applications transparently and in fairness to all applicants,” he said.
Providing further context, the Commission explained:
“On Monday last week (23rd June 2025), the Commission announced that it had received applications from 110 associations seeking registration as political parties. We also assured Nigerians that we will be giving regular updates on the matter. The Commission is processing these applications transparently and in fairness to all applicants.”
The Commission also confirmed that updated information about the latest applications, including names, acronyms, contact addresses, and details of interim leadership, has been uploaded to INEC’s official platforms for public access.
“Meanwhile, the Commission has since received 12 more applications for registration as political parties as of yesterday, Wednesday 2nd July 2025, bringing the total number of applications to 122.”
“The list of the new applications by names of associations, their acronyms, addresses, and interim Chairmen and Secretaries has been uploaded to our website and other platforms for public information.”
“We will respond to these applicants in line with the Electoral Act and Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022.”
Olumekun also noted a development involving one of the applying associations, which had to replace its interim Secretary following a defection to another group.
“However, the Commission notes that one association has already changed its interim Secretary as a result of defection to another association.”
“To facilitate the consideration of these applications, the Commission appeals to associations to maintain consistency in their proposed leadership and addresses so that they do not, by their own actions, cause a delay in the timely consideration of their applications.”
Beyond party registration updates, INEC also announced the release of Supplementary Regulations and Guidelines related to the review of election results.
These new rules provide clearer procedures and timelines for evaluating any result that may have been declared under duress or in violation of electoral laws.
According to Olumekun, the update is based on provisions in the Electoral Act 2022, specifically Section 65, which empowers INEC to reverse compromised declarations or returns.
“The provision to Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 empowers the Commission to review declarations and returns in elections that are not made voluntarily or are done contrary to the law, regulations, and guidelines for the election,” he said.
He further noted that ambiguities around the section had led to various interpretations, prompting INEC to clarify the process.
“Consequently, there have been many interpretations of Section 65 of the Electoral Act, making it necessary for the Commission to use its powers under the law to issue Regulations, Guidelines, or Manuals for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of the Act and for its administration.”
He added that the Commission has now finalized and released Supplementary No. 1 to the main Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022.
“Clear procedures and timelines have now been provided, the details of which are contained in Supplementary No. 1 to the main Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022.”
“As approved by the Commission, the supplementary regulations and guidelines have been uploaded to the Commission’s website and other platforms for public information,” he concluded.
