INEC to review court ruling voiding parts of 2027 Election Timetable

The Independent National Electoral Commission says it will review a Federal High Court judgement nullifying key parts of its 2027 election timetable before deciding on its next step.

The court on Thursday struck down INEC’s revised schedule for party primaries, candidate nominations, and related pre-election activities.

Speaking on Friday, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said the commission had not yet received the full judgement and would not comment until it had studied the ruling.

“We have not received the judgement, and we cannot comment on it. Yes, the judgment is in the public domain, and we don’t know the reasons for the decision that was taken,” she said. “So, there’s need to study the whole judgement and decide on the next step to take.”

The ruling followed a suit filed by the Youth Party challenging INEC’s authority to set deadlines for party primaries and nominations ahead of the 2027 general election.

In its revised timetable, INEC had directed parties to submit membership registers by May 10 and complete primaries and candidate replacements before the end of May.

Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that INEC lacks the statutory power to shorten or alter timelines provided under the Electoral Act 2026. In suit FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2016, the court held that while INEC can receive notices of primaries, monitor exercises, and collect candidate particulars, it cannot fix or prescribe the timetable for internal party contests.

“A declaration is hereby made that the powers of the defendant to receive notice of party primaries and personal particulars of candidates, and its duty to attend, observe and monitor such primaries, does not extend to fixing or prescribing the timetable within which political parties may conduct their primary elections,” the judge ruled.

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The court also held that INEC could not lawfully reduce the statutory period for submitting candidates’ particulars.

The judgement adds a new legal dimension to preparations for the 2027 elections, with parties and stakeholders awaiting INEC’s response.