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Nigeria's Supreme Court has scrapped limits on the number of political parties, opening the way for dozens of groups hoping to battle President Olusegun Obasanjo's ruling party in 2003 elections.

In the unanimous judgment Friday, the court found that the Independent Electoral Commission had no right to limit the number of parties in presidential and legislative elections based on geographic, demographic and other criteria.
The commission earlier this year registered three new parties as well as another three established ones, while rejecting dozens more applicants because they did not have a proven base of support in 24 of Nigeria's 36 states as demanded by the commission, or for other reasons.

The excluded parties accused Obasanjo of manipulating the commission's decision to prevent potential opponents from running against him. Obasanjo denied the charges.
The Supreme Court ruled that the only major requirement for parties should be furnishing a copy of the party's constitution to the electoral commission.

Leaders of the previously excluded groups expressed delight at the decision.
"We are now a political party. I am happy that the Supreme Court has enfranchised millions of Nigerians today," said Gani Fawehinmi, a prominent activist and leader of the National Conscience party.

Obasanjo, whose election in 1999 ended 16 years of brutal and corrupt military rule, has announced for a second term next year despite charges by opponents that his administration has fomented ethnic and religious bloodletting and allowed corruption to flourish.

Ethnic and political violence has killed at least 10,000 people in the past three years. The government has warned of the potential of more bloodshed as politicians grapple for power in the months leading up to presidential elections. The vote is expected for April, but not yet scheduled.

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