The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has registered the Democratic leadership alliance and National Democratic Congress as new political parties.
INEC chairman Prof Joash Amupitan disclosed this at the quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties.
Timothy Yusuf reports that with this addition, there are now 21 registered political parties in Nigeria.
The quarterly consultative meeting convened by INEC with the leadership of political parties is on the heels of growing public interest and anticipation surrounding the release of the timetable for the 2027 General Election.
This is in accordance with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the Commission to issue a Notice of Election at least 360 days before the poll.
While the National Assembly is currently working on amendments to the Electoral Act, the Commission has made its submission as required.
Also on the agenda of the meeting is Voter Revalidation Exercise , Dwindling Voter Turnout, Continuous Voter Registration, Political Parties Registration, and Internal Party Democracy.
INEC promised to consolidate improvements in the conduct of elections beginning with the forthcoming FCT area council Polls, Ekiti and Osun States off cycle governorship elections and the 2027 general election.
Meanwhile, the labour party and PDP were represented by two sets of new leadership; Senator Esther Nenadi Usman as interim National chairman of Labour Party and Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Caretaker Committee chairman of PDP.