The Independent National Electoral Commission-INEC has approved the registration of two new political parties ahead of the 2027 general election.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made this known on Thursday during the regular consultative meeting with political parties for 2026, held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The newly registered parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), bringing the number of registered parties in the country to 21.
Professor Amupitan said the decision followed a rigorous assessment process in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
He said the Commission had received 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties but only two qualified for final assessment and verification of due compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Editing by Basirat Memudu