The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed the judgment of a Federal High Court which nullified its revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
The commission also filed a motion seeking a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal before the Court of Appeal.
INEC, through its counsel, Alex Izinyon (SAN), filed the notice of appeal on May 25, challenging the judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Umar on nine grounds.
According to the commission, the trial court failed to properly address jurisdictional issues raised during proceedings, arguing that the case was hypothetical in nature and that the judgment denied INEC fair hearing.
The electoral body further argued that the court wrongly interpreted Sections 29(1), 82, 84, and 151 of the Electoral Act, 2026, maintaining that its revised timetable did not unlawfully restrict political parties in conducting primaries and other pre-election activities.
It would be recalled that the Federal High Court in Abuja, on May 20, voided INEC’s timetable for the 2027 general elections in a suit instituted by the Youth Party.
The court had ruled that the timetable imposed restrictive timelines on political parties regarding the conduct of primaries and other electoral processes ahead of the elections.
However, INEC is asking the appellate court to completely set aside the judgment and strike out the suit, arguing that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing, or locus standi, to institute the case.
The commission also urged the court to grant a stay of execution to prevent the judgment from taking effect while the appeal is being heard and determined.
The legal battle is expected to shape discussions surrounding preparations for the 2027 general elections and the implementation of the electoral timetable by the commission.
