A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) directing political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10 as a condition for participation in the 2027 general elections.
The judgement, delivered on Thursday by Justice M.G. Umar of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, followed a suit instituted by the Youth Party challenging the legality of the electoral body’s directive.
Justice Umar held that INEC could not lawfully shorten the timeline already provided under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 for the submission of party membership records and candidates’ particulars.
According to the court, political parties are only required by law to submit the personal particulars of their candidates not later than 120 days before the date of an election.
“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 held.
The judgement effectively invalidated the May 10 deadline earlier imposed by INEC and ruled that all registered political parties have until September 2026 to submit updated membership registers.
The ruling is expected to have significant implications for the political landscape ahead of the 2027 polls, particularly for politicians seeking to defect from one political party to another after losing party primaries.
Analysts say the development provides more room for political realignments and defections before the final submission of candidates for the elections.
INEC had earlier fixed January 16, 2027 for the conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.