The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has again deregistered three more political parties.
In a statement issued yesterday by its Secretary, Abdullahi Kaugama, INEC listed the affected parties as African Renaissance Party (ARP), National Democratic Party (NDP) and National Transformation Party (NTP).
INEC had earlier deregistered 28 political parties, arguing that its action was premised on breaches of sections 223 and 222 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The composition of National Executive Committee (NEC) of ARP, according to INEC, fails to meet the requirements of Section 223(1) and (2) of the country’s constitution. It further said that the party had no verifiable headquarters’ office contrary to Section 222(f) of the constitution.
Also, the party, the commission said had not won a seat in the national and state assemblies
For the NDP, the electoral umpire said the composition of its National Executive Committee (NEC) did not meet the requirements of Section 223(1) and (2) of the Constitution. It also has no verifiable headquarters office as well as failed to win a seat in the national and state assemblies. INEC also penalised NTP on the same grounds.
On Tuesday, INEC Chairman, Prof. AttahiruJega, hinted the process of deregistering political parties was ongoing as more parties that fail to meet constitutional requirements will be axed.
Jega said there was no going back on the commission’s recent decision to deregister 28 political parties for failing to meet requirement as clearly stipulated in the 1999 constitution (as amended) and the electoral Act.