The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday said de-registered political parties could not field candidate come 2015, unless they sought re-registration.
The National Commissioner in charge of South-West, Prof. Lai Olurode who stated this in Lagos said there was no law that said that no legal provision precluded such political parties from reapplying to be re-registered provided they met the requirements.
The commissioner was reacting to claims by Fresh Democratic Party that INEC had disobeyed court order to recognize it as a political party.
"If a de-registered party has not gone to court or the power of INEC has not been destroyed as illegal by a court of law, that party cannot field a candidate come 2015.
"The only exception is if the party has gone back to seek re-registration which is possible under the law.
"There is no law that says you cannot apply as a de-registered party if you think you have complied with the requirements of registration.
"For a party to be recognized as a political party as enshrined in the constitution, that party must be in compliance with the laws, rules and regulations.
"The laws, rules, and regulations must be as laid down in the constitution and in the Electoral Acts," Olurode said.
According to him, INEC is a law abiding institution and a law-governed institution covered by the laws of the country.
Olurode said that the commission had the power to register, de-list and de-register a political party.
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