INEC Appeals 2027 Election Guidelines Ruling as electoral body challenges Federal High Court decision affecting preparations for the 2027 general election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has filed an appeal against a ruling of the Federal High Court Abuja which invalidated key provisions of its guidelines for the 2027 general election.
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INEC is asking the Court of Appeal Nigeria to set aside the judgment delivered on May 20, 2026, and to grant a stay of execution pending the determination of its appeal.
The ruling under challenge was delivered by Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified provisions requiring political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10 as a condition for participation in the 2027 general election.
The suit was instituted by the Youth Party, which contested the legality of the directive issued by the electoral commission.
In its judgment, the court held that INEC could not lawfully shorten timelines already provided under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 for the submission of party membership records and candidates’ particulars.
However, in the appeal filed on May 25, 2026, through senior advocate Alex Izinyon, INEC argued that the court erred by failing to address jurisdictional issues, describing the suit as hypothetical and academic.
The commission further contended that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute and maintain the case, urging the appellate court to dismiss the suit in its entirety.
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INEC maintained that the lower court’s decision amounted to a denial of fair hearing and should be overturned to restore its guidelines for election administration.
