Amupitan
By Amah
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The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) directive requiring political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10, 2026, ruling that the electoral body cannot override timelines already guaranteed by law.
In a judgement delivered on Thursday, Justice M.G. Umar held that INEC’s guideline for the 2027 general elections unlawfully shortened the statutory timeframe provided under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.
The suit was instituted by the Youth Party, which challenged the commission’s decision to compel political parties to submit updated membership records months ahead of the legally recognised deadline.
According to the court, political parties are entitled to operate within the 120-day window prescribed by the Electoral Act before elections, and INEC lacks the powers to impose an earlier mandatory deadline through administrative guidelines.
“A Declaration is made that having regards to Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 which requires political parties to submit the personal particulars of their candidates not later than 120 days to an election, the Defendant cannot lawfully abridge or limit that statutory period by prescribing a shorter time frame in its 2027 elections,” the court ruled.
The judgement effectively shifts the deadline for the submission of updated party membership registers to September 2026, overturning INEC’s earlier May 10 cut-off.
The ruling is expected to significantly reshape political calculations ahead of the 2027 polls, particularly for politicians, considering defections or realignments after losing party primaries.
Political analysts say the judgement creates wider room for negotiations, coalition-building, and last-minute political movements, as aspirants who fail to secure tickets in their parties may now have additional time to switch platforms and pursue their ambitions elsewhere.
The development also represents a major legal setback for Independent National Electoral Commission as preparations gradually intensify for the next general elections.
INEC had earlier insisted that political parties must comply with the May 10 deadline as part of efforts to sanitise the electoral process, improve transparency, and streamline verification of party membership data before the commencement of candidate nominations.
However, critics argued that the commission’s directive amounted to an administrative overreach capable of restricting the constitutional and political rights of parties and aspirants.
With the court’s decision, all registered political parties now have until September 2026 to submit updated membership registers and related documentation in line with the Electoral Act.
INEC has already fixed January 16, 2027 for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
The judgement is likely to trigger fresh political manoeuvring across party lines as the race toward 2027 gradually gathers momentum.
