INEC has registered two new political parties ahead of 2027 General Election.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the registration of two new political parties: the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as part of preparations for the 2027 General Election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, announced the decision on Thursday in Abuja during the commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties for 2026.
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With the new registrations, the number of recognised political parties in Nigeria has risen from 18, following the last round of registrations ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Amupitan explained that the approval followed a rigorous screening process involving 171 political associations that submitted letters of intent to INEC.
“You will recall that the commission received a total of 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties,” he said, noting that the assessment was conducted in line with relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
According to him, only 14 associations met the initial prequalification criteria, while eight successfully uploaded their documents on INEC’s registration portal. These included the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA), Abundance Social Party (ASP), African Alliance Party (AAP), Green Future Party (GFP), National Democratic Party (NDP) and Peoples Freedom Party (PFP).
“Out of the eight, only two qualified for final assessment and verification. After due consideration, only the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) fully complied with all legal requirements,” Amupitan said, adding that the party’s registration took effect on February 5, 2026.
He further disclosed that INEC also registered the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in compliance with a Federal High Court order issued in Lokoja, Kogi State, in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025.
“The commission has decided to comply with the order and register the Nigeria Democratic Congress as a political party. Certificates of registration will be issued to the two parties in due course,” he stated.
The INEC chairman, however, cautioned political parties against internal leadership crises and excessive litigation, warning that such disputes erode public trust and distract the commission from its core mandate.
“These infightings create uncertainty and divert attention from policy development and community engagement,” he said.
Amupitan also urged political parties to mobilise supporters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the February 10 deadline for the ongoing distribution in the Federal Capital Territory, while warning against vote buying.
“Vote-buying is a subversion of the democratic will and a violation of the law. Anyone found engaging in this practice will face the full weight of the law,” he warned.
He disclosed that INEC has finalised the timetable for the 2027 elections and will soon commence a nationwide voter revalidation exercise to clean up the voters’ register.
“A credible register of voters remains the bedrock of free, fair and transparent elections,” Amupitan said.
Speaking on behalf of political parties, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) called on INEC to remain impartial, firm and transparent as preparations for the 2027 polls intensify.
IPAC National Chairman, Dr Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, congratulated Amupitan on his appointment and urged the commission to ensure a level playing field for all parties.
“INEC bears a profound constitutional duty to conduct elections that are free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive,” Dantalle said.
He also appealed to party leaders to reduce internal disputes and make use of IPAC’s dispute-resolution mechanisms rather than resorting to litigation, warning that persistent crises undermine democratic stability.
On electoral reforms, IPAC urged the National Assembly to fast-track amendments to the Electoral Act ahead of 2027, including provisions for mandatory real-time transmission of election results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
Dantalle said upcoming elections, including the FCT Area Council polls and the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, would serve as key indicators of public confidence in INEC ahead of the 2027 General Election.
