RismadarVoice Reporters
May 21, 2026
The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the guideline 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.
Delivering judgment, Justice M.G. Umar held that INEC lacked the legal authority to shorten the timeline already provided under the Electoral Act 2026.
The suit was instituted by the Youth Party, which challenged the legality of the electoral body’s directive.
The court ruled that political parties are entitled to submit their updated membership registers within the statutory period stipulated by law, adding that INEC cannot lawfully “abridge or limit” timelines expressly provided in the Electoral Act.
Justice Umar consequently declared the May 10 deadline invalid and affirmed that political parties now have until September 2026 to submit their membership registers and databases.
The judgment is expected to significantly impact political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly among politicians considering defections after party primaries, as it gives political parties more time to reorganise and update their membership structures.
