INEC Registers Two New Political Parties Ahead of 2027 Elections

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the registration of two new political parties as part of preparations for the 2027 General Election.

The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, announced the development on Thursday in Abuja at the commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties for 2026.

He said the approval followed a rigorous screening process involving 171 associations that submitted applications for registration.

According to Amupitan, only 14 associations passed the initial prequalification stage, while DLA fully met all constitutional and statutory requirements. He added that INEC registered the NDC in compliance with a Federal High Court order directing the commission to do so.

The INEC chairman explained that the assessment was conducted in line with Sections 222 and 223 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

Amupitan warned political parties against internal leadership disputes, excessive litigation, and vote buying, describing such practices as threats to democratic stability.

He also urged parties to mobilise supporters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the February 10 deadline for the ongoing PVC distribution in the Federal Capital Territory.

The INEC chairman disclosed that the commission has finalised the timetable for the 2027 elections and will soon commence a nationwide voter revalidation exercise to clean up the voters’ register.

He further called on the National Assembly to fast-track amendments to the Electoral Act to ensure legal clarity well ahead of the polls.

In its response, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) urged INEC to remain firm, impartial, and transparent as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.

IPAC National Chairman, Dr Yusuf Dantalle, congratulated Amupitan on his appointment and called on INEC to provide a level playing field for all political parties.

He urged the commission to strictly adhere to party constitutions when recognising party executives, noting that such recognition confers legitimacy and reduces internal disputes and litigation.

On electoral reforms, IPAC called on the National Assembly to make real-time electronic transmission of election results mandatory and to harmonise Nigeria’s electoral laws ahead of 2027.

Dantalle described the upcoming FCT Area Council election, as well as the Ekiti and Osun governorship polls, as key tests of public confidence in INEC. He reiterated IPAC’s call for the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions, with INEC empowered to conduct all elections nationwide.