INEC Disqualifies Six More Political Groups in Final Review of Party Registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the disqualification of six political associations from proceeding with the final registration process to become recognized political parties. The decision was the result of a stringent review of applications aimed at ensuring strict adherence to the nation’s electoral laws.

The announcement, made on Friday, October 31, 2025, confirms that the disqualified groups failed to meet several key legal and procedural requirements as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act. These requirements typically include complete documentation, proof of functional national and state offices, and compliance with rules on internal governance and transparency.

A senior INEC official confirmed that out of the associations that initially qualified for the registration exercise, only eight groups successfully submitted all necessary documentation and fulfilled the preliminary conditions required to move into the final phase of detailed verification.

The Commission reiterated that the exercise is crucial to maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s multiparty system. “Our commitment is to transparency, fairness, and inclusivity, but this must be balanced with the strict enforcement of the law,” stated the official. “We must ensure that only legitimate associations with the capacity to contribute positively to the democratic framework are allowed to register.”

The groups that successfully cleared this hurdle now face a detailed verification phase, which involves thorough vetting of their documents to confirm full compliance with all applicable laws before their final recognition is granted. The disqualification process underscores INEC’s ongoing determination to reduce the number of non-functional political parties and streamline the electoral landscape ahead of the next general election cycle.