Court Nullifies INEC Guidelines, Extends Deadline for Membership Register Submission

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guideline directing political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Justice M.G. Umar, who delivered the judgment on Thursday, held that INEC must comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 regarding the timeline for submission of party membership registers.

The suit was filed by the Youth Party, which challenged the electoral body’s directive, arguing that the commission acted outside the legal timeframe stipulated by law.

According to the court, political parties are only required to submit their membership registers within 120 days before party primaries, as provided under the Electoral Act.

The ruling effectively gives political parties until September 2026 to submit their registers and databases to INEC for the 2027 elections.

INEC had earlier fixed May 10 as the deadline for submission of party membership registers as part of preparations for the next general elections.

The judgment is expected to impact preparations by political parties, especially those currently dealing with internal leadership and membership issues ahead of the 2027 polls.