The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been barred by the Federal High Court in Abuja from deregistering some political parties.
This fresh order was issued on Monday morning by Justice Anwuli Chikere following a suit filed by some of the affected parties.
While dispensing her judgement, the judge disclosed that INEC failed to counter the application by the applicants whose rights must be protected.
Recall that INEC had earlier deregistered 74 political parties.
INEC chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu, said the action was in preparation for the coming 2023 general elections.
The INEC chairman further said the deregistration followed the poor performance of the parties in the 2019 general elections and court-ordered re-run elections arising from litigations.
According to him, the 74 political parties did not satisfy the requirements of the Fourth Alteration to the Constitutional Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
Details later…