51 political parties sue INEC over deregistration

Fifty-one political parties, under the aegis of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), have sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before an Abuja Federal High Court, over plans to deregister them.

The plaintiffs include Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Accord Party, Progressive Action Congress (PAC), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Justice Party (JD) and Movement for Democracy and Justice (MDJ).

They are asking the court to declare that  Section 78 (7) (II) of the Electoral Act 2011 be expunged as it offends Section 40 of the 2011 constitution, which gives light to other laws, acts, rules and regulations.

The section empowers INEC to deregister political parties on the basis of non-performance at the polls.

Mentioned as 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the National Assembly.

In the suit filed through their counsel, Kan Osieke, the plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the said section is unconstitutional and in effect null and void.

They also want the court to determine whether INEC is the proper body to deregister a political party without first going to court.

Source: Legit.ng