Court Nullifies INEC’s May 10 Deadline, Gives Political Parties Till September To Submit Membership Registers

Abuja, Nigeria- The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has nullified the guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) directing political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10, 2026, as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

In a landmark judgement delivered on Thursday, Justice M.G. Umar ruled that INEC lacked the legal powers to shorten the timeline already provided under the Electoral Act 2026 for the submission of candidates’ particulars and party membership-related documents.

The suit was instituted by the Youth Party, which challenged the legality of INEC’s directive and asked the court to compel the electoral commission to comply strictly with the provisions of the Electoral Act, particularly the statutory 120-day pre-election deadline.

The court held that Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 expressly provides that political parties are only required to submit the personal particulars of their candidates not later than 120 days before an election, stressing that the electoral body could not lawfully impose an earlier deadline outside what is stipulated by law.

Delivering the judgement, Justice Umar declared:“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 ruling effectively invalidates INEC’s earlier May 10, 2026 deadline and grants all registered political parties until September 2026 to submit their updated membership registers and related documents in line with the Electoral Act.

The judgement is expected to significantly alter political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly among politicians seeking alternative political platforms after losing party primaries.

Meanwhile, the development may open a fresh window for defections and realignments, as aggrieved aspirants and party members would now have more time to switch parties and pursue their ambitions before the final deadline for submissions.

INEC had earlier announced January 16, 2027, as the date for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections were scheduled for February 6, 2027.

Before the court ruling, the electoral commission had insisted that all political parties must comply with its directive on the submission of membership registers as part of preparations for the polls.

INEC had also disclosed that all 22 registered political parties complied with the directive after submitting their membership registers before the extended May 10 deadline.

The commission had initially fixed April 21, 2026, as the deadline before later extending it to May 10 following complaints and concerns raised by political parties during consultations held on March 24, 2026.

INEC maintained that the extension and timetable were consistent with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 as well as the approved schedule for party primaries, which were slated to take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

The electoral body also stated that all submitted membership registers and party databases would undergo verification in accordance with the provisions of the law.

However, Thursday’s judgement has now invalidated the commission’s directive, with the court affirming that INEC cannot override or reduce timelines expressly guaranteed under the Electoral Act.