Number Of Political Parties Worries INEC

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who made the revelation at an Electoral Reform Roundtable organized by Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, in conjunction with Kofi Annan Foundation, lamented that the number of associations seeking to be allowed to field candidates in 2023 was more than the existing political parties.

Yakubu, who was represented at the event by INEC’s National Commissioner, Mr. Festus Okoye, equally lamented that the commission has over 809 pre-election cases still pending in courts, adding that over 70 Certificates of Return have been withdrawn from various candidates that emerged from the 2019 polls, and 800 pre-election cases are pending in courts.

“Let me just say that one of the biggest challenges the commission has as at today, relates to the plethora of pre-election matters that are still pending in the various courts of law. As at today, the commission has in its docket a total of 809 pre-election matters, while we have 800 post-election matters…

“We have also expressed concern over the number and quality of political parties in Nigeria. Our ballot papers are getting longer, the result sheets are getting bigger and it is also creating a big challenge for the voters in the field. I think we need to have a national conversation on this matter to see if we really need the number of political parties in existence in the country. This is because as at today, the number of political parties fighting to be registered can be said to be more than the number of political parties already in existence.

“The implication is that if we register all the political associations that have applied for registration, we are going to go into the 2023 general elections with over 200 political parties. I do not know whether this is really what the Nigerian people need.”