INEC de-registers more political parties

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday announced the de-registeration of three more political parties days after it de-registered 28 for failing to meet up with some provisions of the Electoral Act.

The parties affected included African Renaissance Party (ARP), National Democratic Party (NDP) and National Transformation Party (NTP).

A statement by Secretary of the commission, Abdullahi Kaugama, reads in part: “In continuation of the exercise of the powers conferred on it by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2010 (As amended), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has de-registered three more political parties.

“The affected political parties are: (a) African Renaissance Party (ARP);(b) National Democratic Party (NDP);(c) National Transformation Party (NTP). The de-registration of these political parties is premised on the following grounds: “African Renaissance Party (ARP) – (i) Composition of National Executive Committee (NEC) fails to meet the requirements of Section 223(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended).

(ii) No verifiable Headquarters office contrary to Section 222 (f) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended). (iii) Has not won a seat in the National and State Assemblies.

“National Democratic Party (NDP) – (i) Composition of National Executive Committee (NEC) fails to meet the requirements of Section 223(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended). (ii) No verifiable Headquarters office contrary to Section 222(f) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended)(iii) Has not won a seat in the National and State Assemblies.

“National Transformation Party (NTP) – (i) Composition of National Executive Committee (NEC) fails to meet the requirements of Section 223(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended)(ii) Has not won a seat in the National and State Assemblies “The Commission reiterates its commitment to relating with all registered Political Parties as specified by the extant laws of the land.”