INEC said removing parts of the timetable could create confusion among stakeholders and undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
KaNo —
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns that recent Federal High Court rulings affecting parts of its electoral timetable for the 2027 general elections could disrupt the entire election process if not clarified by higher courts.
The commission disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during its Second Quarterly Consultative Meeting with leaders of registered political parties, where its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), confirmed that INEC has filed appeals against the judgments to seek definitive interpretations of its constitutional and statutory powers.
According to Amupitan, the commission carefully reviewed the implications of the two rulings and resolved to approach appellate courts to address what it described as critical legal ambiguities surrounding its authority to structure and regulate election timelines.
The first judgment, delivered on May 20, 2026, arose from a suit filed by the Youth Party, which challenged certain timelines outlined in INEC’s election schedule.
The second ruling, issued on May 26, 2026, in a case brought by the Social Democratic Party (SDP), upheld the commission’s authority to issue an electoral timetable but struck out specific timelines relating to candidate nomination and substitution procedures.
INEC warned that while the rulings addressed discrete elements of the timetable, their implications could be far-reaching, given the interconnected nature of electoral planning.
Citing observations from the SDP judgment, Amupitan emphasised that an election timetable cannot function effectively if key components are removed or altered in isolation.
“An election timetable, without a date for submission of parties’ membership register, timeframe for primaries, etc., is inchoate. Without this timetable, there would be chaos in our electoral system,” he said.
The INEC chairman stressed that the commission’s timetable is not merely a sequence of dates but a carefully coordinated framework designed to guide a wide range of administrative, legal, and logistical processes necessary for credible elections.
He explained that while the Electoral Act provides statutory timelines for certain activities, many essential preparatory steps are not explicitly covered by law but must still be accommodated within the broader schedule to ensure a seamless electoral process.
Among the activities highlighted were the submission and verification of political parties’ membership registers, monitoring of party primaries across the country, pre-upload of primary election results on INEC’s designated portal, candidate nomination processes, and the printing of ballot papers and result sheets.
Other critical processes include quality assurance checks, nationwide deployment of election materials, training of electoral personnel, voter education campaigns, procurement of sensitive materials, configuration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and compliance with legal provisions such as allowing political parties to inspect samples of electoral materials in line with Section 42 of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Amupitan argued that these activities are deeply interdependent and must be synchronised within a coherent framework to guarantee efficiency, transparency, and fairness.
He cautioned that isolating or removing parts of the timetable could create confusion among stakeholders and undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
“The commission therefore considers it imperative that all electoral activities be harmonised within a coherent and workable framework that promotes certainty, transparency, administrative efficiency, and equal treatment of all political parties,” he said.
Despite the legal uncertainties, the INEC chairman assured stakeholders that the commission remains fully committed to its preparations for the 2027 general elections and will continue its activities in accordance with existing laws and judicial directives.
“While the commission remains fully respectful of the decisions of the courts and of the judicial process generally, these judgments raise important legal questions concerning the extent of the commission’s constitutional and statutory powers in coordinating and regulating electoral activities,” Amupitan said.
As part of its ongoing preparations, INEC announced that it has scheduled June 26, 2026, for the release of access codes to political parties, enabling them to begin uploading candidates’ details through its Candidate Nomination Portal.
The chairman urged political parties to treat the process with utmost seriousness, advising them to ensure that their information and communications technology (ICT) personnel are adequately prepared ahead of the exercise.
“On Friday, 26th June, 2026, the commission will issue official access codes to all political parties for the purpose of accessing the Candidate Nomination Portal,” he said.
“These access codes will enable designated national officers of political parties to upload the names, personal particulars, and other required information relating to nominated candidates.”
Amupitan warned that deadlines for the nomination process would be strictly enforced, underscoring the importance of compliance by all political parties.
He also used the forum to call on political parties to intensify voter education efforts and mobilise citizens to participate in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the elections.
According to him, the success of the 2027 general elections will depend not only on INEC’s preparedness but also on the commitment of political parties to uphold democratic principles and adhere to the rule of law.
“The success of the 2027 general election will depend not only on the preparedness of the commission but also on the commitment of political parties to uphold democratic principles, respect the rule of law, conduct transparent primaries, discourage violence, hate speech, and vote buying, and promote issue-based campaigns,” he said.
The INEC chairman further assured stakeholders that the commission would continue to operate independently and impartially, guaranteeing a level playing field for all political actors.
He emphasised that INEC remains guided by the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and all relevant regulations in the discharge of its responsibilities.
Despite the pending appeals, Amupitan maintained that preparations for the 2027 elections would proceed as scheduled, subject to lawful court directives.
Political analysts say the outcome of the appeals could have significant implications for Nigeria’s electoral framework, particularly in clarifying the extent of INEC’s powers in managing election timelines.
They note that while judicial oversight is essential in safeguarding democratic processes, excessive disruptions to the electoral timetable could create uncertainty and affect the overall credibility of the elections.
For now, stakeholders are watching closely as the legal process unfolds, with expectations that the appellate courts will provide clarity that balances the rule of law with the practical realities of organising nationwide elections in Africa’s most populous country.
As Nigeria prepares for another electoral cycle, the interplay between the judiciary and the electoral body is once again in focus, highlighting the delicate balance required to ensure credible, transparent, and well-coordinated elections.
