The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered 23 new political parties, ahead of the 2019 general election.

The commission’s National Commissioner and member Voter Education and Publicity Committee, Mohammed Haruna, who disclosed this in a statement, said INEC took this decision at its regular meeting Tuesday.

The commission also extended the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by two weeks.
INEC initially said it would suspend the CVR exercise on August 17 until after the 2019 general elections.

The leaders of the new parties have been invited the to receive their respective certificates of registration at the INEC headquarters on August 16 in Abuja.

The registration of the 23 new political parties brings to 91, the total number of political parties in the country.

Mr Haruna said INEC had received a total of 144 applications from political associations seeking registration as political parties.

“After a rigorous process of evaluation in accordance with the Constitution and Electoral Act which included assessment of the constitutions and manifestos of the intending parties and verification of membership of their executive committees and offices, the 23 associations met all the requirements and so have been registered as political parties,” the statement read.

“This brings the number of political parties so far registered to 91 and will be the last round of registration of parties until after the general elections on 16th February 2019, the statement added. This suspension according to INEC is in line with Section 78 (1) of the Electoral Act, which requires all applications for registration as political party to be concluded latest six months to a general election.

“The newly registered political parties will receive their Certificates of Registration from the Commission on Thursday, 16th August 2018 at the Commission’s Headquarters.”

Also, though the commission extended CVR by two weeks, it said it will go ahead with the issuance of Notice of Election scheduled for Friday.

“On the 9th of January 2018, the Commission issued the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2019 General Elections. The first of 14 activities in that timetable is the issuance of Notice of Election, which is scheduled for Friday, 17th August 2018 in accordance with Section 30 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended). This activity kick-starts the countdown to the 2019 general elections,” the commission said.

See full list of the new political parties below:

Advanced Alliance Party

Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party

African Action Congress

Alliance For A United Nigeria

Alliance Of Social Democrats

Alliance Nation Party

Alliance People’s Movement

Alternative Party Of Nigeria

Change Nigeria Party

Congress Of Patriots

Liberation Movement

Movement For Restoration And Defence Of Democracy

Nigeria Community Movement Party

Nigeria For Democracy

Peoples Coalition Party

Reform and Advancement Party

Save Nigeria Congress

United Patriots

United Peoples Congress

We The People Nigeria

Yes Electorates Solidarity

Youth Party

Zenith Labour Party