By Friday Ajagunna
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has received 12 additional applications from associations seeking registration as political parties.
On June 23, INEC announced that 110 associations have submitted letters of intent to be registered as political parties.
In a statement on Thursday, Sam Olumekun, INEC鈥檚 national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, said the list of new applications, containing the names of associations, their acronyms, addresses, and interim chairmen and secretaries, has been uploaded to the commission鈥檚 website and other platforms for public information.
鈥淭he commission is processing these applications transparently and in fairness to all applicants. However, the Commission notes that one association has already changed its interim secretary as a result of defection to another association.
鈥淭o facilitate the consideration of these applications, the Commission appeals to associations to maintain consistency of their proposed leadership and addresses so that they do not, by their own actions, cause a delay to the timely consideration of their applications,鈥 the statement reads.
Olumekun added that the commission has also provided supplementary regulations and guidelines for the review of election results, as empowered by section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022.
鈥淭here have been many interpretations of Section 65 of the Electoral Act, making it necessary for the Commission to use its powers under the law to issue Regulations, Guidelines or Manuals for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of the Act and for its administration.
鈥淐lear procedures and timelines have now been provided, the details of which are contained in Supplementary No. 1 to the main Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022.
鈥淎s approved by the Commission, the supplementary regulations and guidelines have been uploaded to the Commission鈥檚 website and other platforms for public information.鈥