A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission directing political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The judgement, delivered on Thursday by Justice M.G. Umar, followed a suit filed against the electoral commission by the Youth Party.
In his ruling, Justice Umar held that INEC lacked the legal authority to shorten the timeline already provided under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates political parties to submit the particulars of their candidates not later than 120 days before an election.
According to the court, “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 guidelines for the 2027 elections.”
The judgement effectively extends the deadline for all registered political parties to submit updated membership registers to INEC until September 2026, thereby setting aside the commission’s earlier May 10 deadline.
Political analysts believe the ruling could significantly influence political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the extended timeline may create more opportunities for politicians dissatisfied with outcomes of party primaries to defect to other parties and continue pursuing their political ambitions.
INEC has already fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled to take place on February 6, 2027.
