2027: INEC begins screening of 151 Groups seeking Party status

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun shortlisting 151 associations seeking registration as political parties, a process poised to reshape Nigeria’s political scene ahead of the 2027 general elections.

National Commissioner Sam Olumekun announced the development during INEC’s weekly meeting on Thursday, noting that eight new letters of intent had been received since July 23, 2025.

The final shortlist will be unveiled after the August 16 bye-elections across 12 states, including Edo Central and Anambra South senatorial districts.

Olumekun said INEC’s newly launched online portal for party registration is streamlining the vetting process to ensure only associations that meet constitutional and legal requirements move forward. Details of all 151 applications, including proposed names, acronyms, logos, addresses, and interim leadership, are available on INEC’s website for public scrutiny, a step he described as vital for transparency.

The August 16 bye-elections, which cover two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state constituencies, will also serve as a key test of INEC’s readiness ahead of 2027.

Alongside the party registration process, INEC is preparing for the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), which resumes August 18 with online pre-registration, followed by in-person registration from August 25 to August 30, 2026.

The exercise will run across 811 centres, 774 local government offices, 36 state offices, and the FCT office, operating weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., excluding public holidays.

A CVR Live Locator tool, launching August 17 at cvr.inecnigeria.org/locator, will enable citizens to easily find registration centres. INEC has also published a 38-page directory with addresses and state helplines.

The CVR will allow new voters to register, update their details, or transfer their voting records.

While these initiatives aim to improve transparency and accessibility for Nigeria’s over 84 million registered voters, challenges remain.

Premature campaigning by some parties, despite electoral laws, risks confusing voters, and internet access, particularly in rural areas where only 37% enjoy reliable connectivity, could hinder CVR participation.

With rigorous vetting needed to prevent frivolous registrations, and with bye-elections just days away, INEC’s dual push for credible party registration and wider voter access will be closely watched as a measure of Nigeria’s democratic maturity.