INEC Seeks Appeal Court Reversal of Judgment Nullifying 2027 Election Timelines

The Independent National Electoral Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission, has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to set aside the judgment that voided the timelines it issued for the 2027 general elections.

The Commission also applied for a stay of execution of the judgment pending the determination of its appeal.

In a notice of appeal dated May 25 and filed through its team of lawyers led by Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), INEC raised nine grounds for the appellate court to consider and vacate the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on May 20.

Aside from its contention that the high court erred in law by failing to determine a jurisdictional issue it raised, INEC maintained that the legal action initiated against it by the Youth Party was hypothetical and academic.

The Commission argued that the trial court’s failure to make pronouncements on the issues it presented resulted in a denial of fair hearing to the appellant.

INEC also challenged the court’s interpretation of Sections 29(1), 82, and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The Federal High Court had held that Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act mandates political parties to submit the names of candidates who emerged from valid primaries not later than 120 days before the date of the general election.

The court further stated that political parties are only required under the law to notify INEC at least 21 days before conducting primaries, congresses, conventions, conferences, or meetings convened for the nomination of candidates or election of party executives.

According to the judgment, INEC was not empowered to impose timelines on political parties for the conduct of primaries as long as such processes and submissions were completed within the period prescribed by the Electoral Act.

However, INEC argued that the verdict was against the weight of evidence presented before the court by the parties involved.

Consequently, the electoral body prayed the Court of Appeal to allow the appeal and set aside the judgment.

INEC also urged the appellate court to strike out the case filed by the Youth Party on the grounds that the party lacked the locus standi, or legal right, to institute and maintain the action, which it described as merely academic.