Court Extends Party Register Deadline Ahead of 2027 Elections
A Federal High Court in Abuja has given political parties more time to submit their membership registers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The new deadline now runs until September 2026, following a ruling delivered by Justice Muhammed Umar.
The court also struck out sections of the Independent National Electoral Commission guidelines that had fixed an earlier submission date.
It held that INEC cannot shorten timelines already provided under the Electoral Act.
The decision comes after a case filed by the Youth Party, which challenged the electoral body’s guidelines on party records and candidate details.
The ruling is expected to affect how parties prepare for primaries and possible defections.
Civil society groups and political stakeholders have reacted to the judgment, with calls for INEC to follow the court order and ensure a clear electoral process.
They also urged stronger respect for the law as preparations for 2027 continue.
