‘INEC receives 5 applications for registration of political parties weekly’

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Tuesday said it receives an average of five applications for registration of new political parties weekly.
Mr Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to INEC Chairman, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
The spokesman was fielding questions from NAN on the alleged rumour that six governors of the PDP had approached the commission for the registration of a new political party.
“It is a normal thing for politicians to approach INEC for the registration of new political party, but, it was not the duty of INEC to place priority over any application.
“INEC as a political umpire was saddled with the responsibility of registration and de-registration of new political parties.
“It is INEC that decides whether anyone meets the required standard in accordance with the electoral law”, he said.
Idowu said the commission receives application for registration weekly, and would consider each in accordance with the law.
He added that INEC was only barred from entertaining such requests 90 days before a general election. (NAN)*