INEC Appeals Court Judgment Nullifying Part of 2027 Election Guidelines
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which voided part of the commission’s guidelines for the conduct of the 2027 general election.
INEC is asking the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal to overturn the ruling that invalidated the deadline it fixed for political parties to submit their membership registers and databases ahead of the elections.
Last week, Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court ruled against the electoral body after the Youth Party challenged the legality of the directive.
The court had nullified INEC’s guideline directing political parties to submit their membership registers by May 10, 2026, describing the move as inconsistent with the Electoral Act 2026.
According to the judge, Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act already provides political parties with up to 120 days before an election to submit the personal particulars of their candidates.
Justice Umar held that INEC lacked the legal authority to shorten that timeline through administrative guidelines.
However, dissatisfied with the ruling, INEC filed a notice of appeal dated May 25, 2026, through its counsel, Alex Izinyon (SAN).
In the appeal, the commission urged the Court of Appeal to set aside the Federal High Court judgment and uphold its powers to regulate electoral procedures.
INEC also requested a stay of execution of the judgment pending the determination of the appeal.
The legal dispute is expected to shape preparations for the 2027 general elections, particularly regarding the powers of the electoral commission to issue timelines and procedural guidelines for political parties.
