Paragraph 1: Nigeria’s political landscape is poised for potential expansion as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the receipt of 151 letters of intent from associations aspiring to become registered political parties. This surge in applications, with eight new submissions since late July 2025, underscores the dynamic nature of Nigerian politics and the ongoing evolution of its party system. INEC has initiated the crucial process of shortlisting these associations, meticulously evaluating each application to ensure compliance with the stipulated requirements before they can progress to the next stage of the registration process. This careful vetting process aims to maintain the integrity of the electoral system and ensure that only qualified entities are granted official party status.
Paragraph 2: Transparency and public engagement are paramount in INEC’s approach to party registration. Detailed information regarding the prospective parties, including their proposed names, acronyms, logos, physical addresses, and interim leadership structures, has been proactively published on INEC’s official website and other online platforms. This open access to information allows citizens to scrutinize the aspiring parties, fostering greater accountability and informed public discourse about the evolving political landscape. The commission’s commitment to transparency reflects its dedication to upholding democratic principles and ensuring public trust in the electoral process.
Paragraph 3: The registration process is structured in stages, beginning with the submission of a letter of intent, followed by a comprehensive application stage. INEC is currently engaged in shortlisting the associations that have submitted letters of intent, identifying those that meet the initial criteria. Upon completion of the shortlisting process, the qualified associations will be invited to proceed with the formal application, a more detailed and rigorous stage involving further scrutiny of their organizational structure, membership, and adherence to electoral regulations. Specific details about the shortlisted associations will be released by INEC following the conclusion of the 16 bye-elections scheduled for August 16, 2025, in 12 states across the nation.
Paragraph 4: Concurrent with the party registration activities, INEC is also gearing up for the resumption of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. This vital initiative aims to ensure that eligible citizens have the opportunity to register to vote, facilitating broader participation in the democratic process. The CVR exercise is designed to accommodate various needs and preferences. The online pre-registration phase will commence on August 18, 2025, offering a convenient digital platform for initial registration. Subsequently, the in-person registration option will begin on August 25, 2025, catering to those who prefer face-to-face registration or may face challenges accessing online services. Both the online and in-person registration processes will run concurrently for a year, concluding on August 30, 2026.
Paragraph 5: INEC has established a comprehensive network of registration centers to facilitate widespread participation in the CVR exercise. A total of 811 centers will be operational nationwide, strategically distributed across all 774 Local Government Areas, as well as 37 State and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) offices. These centers will operate from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding national public holidays, providing ample opportunity for citizens to register conveniently. To further enhance accessibility, INEC has developed an online CVR Live Locator tool, which will be activated on August 17, 2025, a day before the commencement of the CVR. This interactive tool will enable citizens to easily pinpoint the nearest registration center, simplifying the process of participation and ensuring that location is not a barrier to voter registration. The locator can be accessed at https://cvr.inecnigeria.org/locator.
Paragraph 6: INEC has implemented several measures to ensure a smooth and informative CVR process. A comprehensive 38-page document containing the specific addresses of all 811 in-person registration centers has been uploaded to INEC’s website and other official online platforms. This provides a readily accessible reference for citizens seeking registration information. Furthermore, dedicated telephone help lines have been established for each state, offering direct assistance and clarification to citizens who may have questions or require further guidance regarding the registration process. INEC will also be releasing detailed information about the registration procedures, including instructional video clips, in the following week, further enhancing accessibility and ensuring that citizens are well-equipped to participate in the CVR exercise.
