The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the creation of a digital platform for the registration of political parties, replacing the previous manual process. The new portal, integrated into the Party Financial Reporting and Auditing System (PFRAS), aims to streamline and expedite the application process.
This development comes as INEC confirmed the receipt of seven additional applications from associations seeking party registration, bringing the total to 129.
National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed the update in a statement issued Thursday after the commission’s weekly meeting in Abuja.
“Since last week, seven more applications have been received, bringing the total number so far to 129. All the requests are being processed,” Olumekun stated.
He noted that the new digital registration system would replace the manual process used in previous years.
“Unlike the manual method used in previous registration, the commission is introducing a political party registration portal which is a module in our PFRAS. This will make the process faster and more seamless. In the next one week, the commission will conclude the final testing of the portal before deployment,” he explained.
He added that further steps for qualified associations would be communicated soon.
“The commission will also issue guidelines to facilitate the filing of applications using the PFRAS. Meanwhile, the list of the new associations has been uploaded to our website and other platforms for public information,” Olumekun said.
ADC Chairmen Back David Mark-Led Interim Leadership
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) convened a strategic meeting in Abuja where all 36 state chairmen, including that of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), reaffirmed their loyalty to the party’s interim leadership headed by former Senate President, David Mark.
The closed-door meeting came amid speculations of internal discord within the party. However, party leaders used the opportunity to reinforce their commitment to unity, coalition-building, and ongoing restructuring efforts.
Addressing journalists after the session, party spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi said the gathering was aimed at reassuring the chairmen and countering misinformation.
“We invited all the state chairmen to reassure them that we have no intention to shove them aside. The purpose is to dispel all the falsehood and rumours making the rounds that we came to hijack the party from them,” Abdullahi stated.
He described the chairmen as integral to the party’s future.
“The leadership is committed to an inclusive process. The state chairmen are partners in building a stronger political party,” he said. “They are leaving Abuja today more assured than ever that they are critical stakeholders in the future of the ADC.”
Responding to recent criticisms from the party’s former presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, who questioned the legitimacy of the interim leadership and coalition process, Abdullahi dismissed the concerns.
“The party is on solid legal footing,” he said.
Also speaking, Chairman of the ADC Forum of State Chairmen and Kogi State Chairman, Kingsley Ogga, affirmed the collective support of the state leadership for the coalition and the interim executive.
“Someone might feel differently, but nobody has come out to say so or go against what we are doing,” Ogga said, dismissing speculation of possible resignations.
