INEC Warns Parties: Primaries After May 30 Deadline Risk Disqualification

INEC Warns Parties: Primaries After May 30 Deadline Risk Disqualification

ABUJA — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated that political parties conducting primary elections after its May 30, 2026 deadline do so at their own risk, warning that such primaries remain invalid unless overturned by the Court of Appeal.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, gave the clarification while addressing concerns over the legal status of party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He explained that political parties are still required to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the existing INEC timetable while the commission’s appeal against a Federal High Court judgment is pending.

According to him, any political party that conducts its primaries outside INEC’s official timetable risks having such exercises declared invalid.

“Obviously, for now, any primary held outside INEC’s May 30 deadline will be invalid unless the Court of Appeal overturns the Federal High Court judgment in INEC’s appeal against the ruling that the timetable breached the Electoral Act 2026 in some of its provisions.

“In other words, for now, the political parties are better advised to be guided by the existing Act,” Haruna said.

The controversy stems from a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar in a case filed by the Youth Party, which challenged INEC’s electoral timetable and guidelines for the 2027 polls.

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In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, the court held that INEC exceeded its powers by shortening timelines set by the Electoral Act 2026, particularly those relating to the submission of party membership registers and candidate nomination details.

The court ruled that while INEC has powers to organise and monitor elections, it cannot alter statutory timelines provided by law for political parties’ internal processes.

Following the judgment, INEC filed an appeal and also sought a stay of execution, insisting that its timetable was issued in line with its constitutional responsibility to ensure smooth electoral planning.

The commission had earlier fixed April 23 to May 30, 2026, as the window for political parties to conduct their primaries ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that submissions outside the deadline would not be accepted.

However, the legal dispute took another turn when another Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho upheld INEC’s authority to issue election timetables, while stressing that such powers must still operate within the limits of the Electoral Act 2026.

The conflicting court decisions have deepened uncertainty over the validity of party primaries conducted outside INEC’s approved schedule.

INEC maintained that until the Court of Appeal gives a final interpretation, political parties must continue to observe the existing timetable and avoid actions that could jeopardise their participation in the 2027 elections.

Political analysts say the ongoing legal battle could significantly affect candidate selection processes, warning that parties that ignore the deadline risk prolonged litigation and possible exclusion of their candidates.

INEC Warns Parties: Primaries After May 30 Deadline Risk Disqualification