by ‘Jola Sotubo

The Independent National Electoral Commission yesterday issued a statement saying it had received applications to register 10 new political parties.

Mr. Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, made this known after receiving an enquiry about the rumours that six governors of the Peoples Democratic Party were planning to float a new party called “Voice of the People”.

According to reports, He said,

“I find it difficult to respond to details and particulars of media speculations about applications to INEC for party registration.

“But it is true that there are more than 10 applications pending currently before the Commission. Application for party registration is a routine experience of INEC.

“Really, you could say the Commission receives an average of one application per week. And this is so routine that I can’t begin to proffer particulars of the applications.”

When asked whether INEC would continue to register parties, he said, “Yes, of course, because the country’s law provides for it.

“When to stop? Not as long as the provision is there in the legal framework but the law also stipulates that parties cannot be registered 90 days before a general election.

“The Law is also not specific on whether members of an existing party can form another party without prior resignation.”

On the reported registration of a new party, INEC denied knowledge of any application by the governors for the registration of VOP.

Idowu said that it was not aware of any new party called Voice of the People (VOP) being floated by seven governors and that the parties concerned were yet to contact INEC.

He further stated that there was no information whatsoever on VOP in INEC records at the moment.