INEC axes 7 political parties

Posted by admin INEC Politics, Latest Politics Thursday, August 18th, 2011

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday began the process of deleting from its register seven indolent political parties in the country.

This was in line with the commission’s earlier threat to deregister political parties, which failed to meet the constitutional target in general elections,
The affected parties are the Democratic Alternative (DA), National Action Council (NAC), National Democratic Liberty Party (NDLP), Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN), Nigeria Peoples Congress (NPC), Nigeria Element Progressive Party (NEPP) and the National Unity Party (NUP).

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega told joutnalists in Abuja that the action was in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010, which empowers the commission to deregister parties that were not active.
“Pursuant to the provisions of Section 78 (7) (ii) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) hereby de-registers the following political parties.”

Jega explained that the affected political parties had already been notified and were therefore, precluded by law from engaging in any electoral activities including but not limited to canvassing for seats in any electoral process.
According to him, “the Certificates of Registration earlier issued to them are hereby withdrawn with immediate effect.”

Jega said the decision to deregister the affected parties was informed by their inability to even field any candidate for any position in the April 2011 general elections, adding that they were also not involved in any legal action arising from the elections. He said the process would be ongoing hence dormant political parties that could not win any election would be deregistered after the evaluation of their activities in the last elections.

In a swift reaction last night, the Rufai Hanga-led faction of the Conference for Progressive Change (CPC) applauded the action of INEC deregistering the affected parties, saying such action would instill discipline in the system.

National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Dennis Aghanya, who reacted to the development immediately told Daily Sun that many people were floating political parties at the slightest excuse even when they had not a base or structure to operate.

-Sunwp_posts