2027 Elections: INEC Battles to Restore Nullified Guidelines

The Independent National Electoral Commission has approached the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal to challenge a Federal High Court judgement nullifying part of its guidelines for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.

INEC, through its counsel, Chief Alex Izinyon, SAN, filed a notice of appeal dated May 25, 2026, asking the appellate court to overturn the lower court’s decision and grant a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal.

Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja had last week invalidated the electoral body’s directive requiring political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10, 2026, as a condition for participating in the 2027 elections.

The suit was instituted by the Youth Party, which challenged the legality of the commission’s timeline.

In his judgement, Justice Umar held that INEC could not lawfully shorten the period already provided under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 for the submission of party membership records and candidates’ particulars. 

Dissatisfied with the ruling, INEC argued in its appeal that the lower court erred in law and urged the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgement in its entirety.

 The electoral commission also requested an order staying the execution of the judgement to avoid disruptions to preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development marks the latest legal battle surrounding preparations for the next electoral cycle as political parties and stakeholders continue to scrutinise INEC’s guidelines and timelines.