JUST IN: Court Restrains INEC From Delisting Political Parties

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from de-registering political parties in the country.

Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Court, on Monday, restrained the commission from deregistering 31 political parties.

Justice Chikere, in her ruling, said having failed to counter the application by the applicants, the affected political parties had the legal right which must be protected.

The court also ordered the electoral body to stay action on the matter with immediate effect.

INEC had on February 6, 2020 announced that it had de-registered 74 political parties in the country, leaving only 18 in existence.

Affected political parties have since threatened to challenge the decision in court.