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INEC Appeals Court Judgment Nullifying Parts of 2027 Election Guidelines, Seeks Stay of Execution
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has filed an appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which nullified parts of its revised guidelines and timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The electoral commission also approached the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal with a motion seeking a stay of execution of the judgment pending the determination of the appeal.
The development follows a May 20, 2026 judgment delivered by Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which voided INEC’s directive requiring political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10 as part of the conditions for participation in the 2027 elections.
The suit was instituted by the Youth Party, which challenged the legality of INEC’s Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 general elections.
In his ruling, Justice Umar held that INEC lacked the statutory authority to alter or reduce timelines already provided under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 regarding the submission of candidates’ particulars and party records.
READ ALSO: Court Adjourns NDC Suit Challenging Electoral Act 2026
The court ruled that political parties are only required by law to submit the particulars of candidates not later than 120 days before an election, stressing that the commission could not impose shorter timelines outside the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Dissatisfied with the verdict, INEC, through its counsel Alex Izinyon, filed a notice of appeal dated May 25, 2026, urging the appellate court to set aside the judgment in its entirety.
The commission raised nine grounds of appeal and argued that the Federal High Court failed to determine its objection challenging the jurisdiction of the suit.
INEC contended that the matter before the lower court was hypothetical, speculative, and academic, adding that the failure of the court to first determine the jurisdictional issue amounted to a denial of fair hearing.
The commission also faulted the trial court’s interpretation of Sections 29(1), 82, and 84 of the Electoral Act 2026.
According to INEC, the lower court erred in holding that political parties were only required to notify the commission 21 days before conducting primaries, congresses, or conventions and that INEC lacked authority to impose additional timelines outside those expressly prescribed by law.
The electoral body further argued that the judgment was against the weight of evidence presented before the court and urged the Court of Appeal to strike out the suit filed by the Youth Party for allegedly lacking the legal standing to institute the action.
The appeal marks the latest twist in the legal dispute surrounding preparations for the 2027 general elections, particularly over timelines for party primaries, submission of candidates’ particulars, and substitution of candidates.
Political analysts say the outcome of the appeal could significantly influence political alignments ahead of the elections, especially for aspirants seeking alternative political platforms after losing party primaries.
The earlier Federal High Court ruling had been widely interpreted as creating room for fresh defections and political realignments by nullifying restrictive timelines imposed by the electoral commission.
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