Court nullifies INEC timetable, extends submission of party membership registers

 

A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified aspects of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election, offering fresh relief to politicians affected by recent party primaries.

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, in a judgment, held that timelines fixed by INEC for political parties to conduct primaries, submit candidates’ particulars, and withdraw or replace candidates were inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The court consequently set aside the affected sections of the timetable.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2016, was filed by the Youth Party against INEC at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The plaintiff argued that INEC exceeded its powers by prescribing timelines that shortened statutory periods already provided under the Electoral Act.

Delivering judgment, Justice Umar held that Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, requires political parties to submit candidates’ particulars not later than 120 days before an election and that INEC could not lawfully reduce that period.

The court also ruled that under Section 31 of the Electoral Act, which allows withdrawal and substitution of candidates up to 90 days before an election, INEC lacked the authority to impose earlier deadlines.

Justice Umar further held that Section 32 of the Act does not permit INEC to publish the final list of candidates earlier than the minimum 60-day period prescribed by law.

The court additionally ruled that INEC lacked statutory authority to fix campaign deadlines that contradict provisions of the Electoral Act.

On membership registers, the court held that timelines prescribed by INEC for submission of party membership registers do not apply to primary elections conducted to replace withdrawn candidates.

The judge subsequently nullified portions of INEC’s revised timetable that conflicted with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Under the now-challenged timetable, political parties had been directed to submit membership registers by May 10 and conclude primaries and candidate replacement processes before the end of May.

Political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress, are currently conducting primaries amid complaints in some states over alleged candidate imposition and internal party disputes.

The ruling may have implications for politicians seeking fresh opportunities after losing party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.