From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, in Abuja presented certificates of registration to five newly registered political parties, bringing to 45 the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria.
The newly certified political parties are Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Democratic People’s Movement (ADPM), Advanced People’s Democratic Party (APDA), New Generation of Nigeria (NGP) and the Young Progressive Party (YPP).
Before the presentation of the certificates, which took place at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, congratulated the new political parties on passing through the rigorous but transparent registration process, and encouraged them to always abide by the operational guidelines in all their political activities.
He strongly warned that INEC will no longer tolerate any sort of violation of electoral guidelines in the operations of both the existing and the newly registered political parties either before, during and after elections, starting with the forthcoming bye elections and Anambra governorship elections scheduled for November.
The INEC boss however disclosed that the Commission had as at the end of last week received 95 applications from political associations for consideration as political parties.
He said that out of the aforementioned figure, five political associations have fulfilled the requirements for registration, three associations voluntarily withdrew their application, thus bringing the total to 87 applications.
The Commission, according to him, few days ago received another six applications for registration.
“This means that the Commission is currently processing 103 applications for registration as political parties. Out of this number, six associations are currently undergoing the initial assessment of their logo, names, acronym and other legal requirements for registration.”
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