INEC Approves Registration of Two New Political Parties for 2027 Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially expanded Nigeria's political landscape by registering two new political parties ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections. This significant development marks a notable expansion of political options available to Nigerian voters as the country prepares for another major electoral cycle.
Registration Announcement and Process Details
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan made the formal announcement during the commission's first regular consultative meeting with political parties held in Abuja on Thursday, February 5. The newly registered parties are the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), both of which successfully navigated INEC's stringent registration requirements.
Professor Amupitan revealed that the registration followed an extensive and rigorous assessment process that began with 171 associations expressing interest in becoming political parties. From this initial pool, only 14 associations managed to pass the preliminary pre-qualification stage, demonstrating the commission's commitment to maintaining high standards for political party registration.
Detailed Registration Journey
The INEC chairman provided comprehensive details about the registration journey, explaining that only eight associations successfully uploaded their required documents on the commission's dedicated portal. These included:
- All Democratic Alliance (ADA)
- Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA)
- Abundance Social Party (ASP)
- African Alliance Party (AAP)
- Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA)
- Green Future Party (GFP)
- National Democratic Party (NDP)
- Peoples Freedom Party (PFP)
From these eight associations, only two qualified for the final assessment and verification phase, where INEC officials meticulously examined their compliance with constitutional requirements and provisions of the Electoral Act. Following this thorough review, only the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) met all legal requirements for registration.
Court Order Facilitates NDC Registration
In an interesting development, Professor Amupitan explained that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) received registration approval following a court order directing the commission to register the party. This legal intervention highlights the complex interplay between judicial processes and electoral administration in Nigeria's democratic system.
INEC's Preparations for 2027 Elections
Beyond party registrations, INEC has been actively preparing for the 2027 electoral cycle. On Tuesday, February 3, the commission reassured media representatives about the upcoming election timetable and announced plans for a comprehensive nationwide voter revalidation exercise. Professor Amupitan emphasized the importance of combating misinformation and disinformation during the electoral process.
Responding to INEC's announcements, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) President Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi confirmed that both media professionals and the Nigerian public are eagerly awaiting the release of the official 2027 election timetable. He assured that journalists stand ready to provide platforms for election campaigns, voter education initiatives, and other crucial electoral activities across the nation.
Voter Accreditation System Updates
In related developments, INEC has indicated plans to review the current voter accreditation system. The commission's chairman noted that with the implementation of the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS), the exclusive use of permanent voter cards (PVCs) for voter identification might undergo modifications. While existing PVC holders can continue using their cards, INEC is considering allowing computer-generated slips issued to voters or downloaded from the commission's website to serve as valid accreditation documents in future elections.
This expansion of Nigeria's political party landscape comes as the country prepares for comprehensive elections in early 2027, when voters will elect a new president, national and state lawmakers, governors, and state assembly members across the federation.
