10/06/2026
INEC Explains Appeal of Court Judgments on 2027 Election Timetable
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has explained why the Commission appealed two recent Federal High Court judgments that questioned aspects of its Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at the Second Quarterly Consultative Meeting with Leaders of Political Parties in Abuja, Prof. Amupitan said the judgments raised important legal questions regarding INEC's constitutional and statutory powers to coordinate electoral activities.
According to him, the Commission appealed the decisions because electoral activities are interconnected and require a harmonised timetable to ensure certainty, transparency, administrative efficiency and equal treatment of political parties.
He noted that several critical activities, including the monitoring of party primaries, verification of party registers, printing of election materials and configuration of BVAS machines, must be accommodated within a coordinated electoral calendar.
The INEC Chairman assured Nigerians that despite the pending appeals, the Commission remains committed to conducting the 2027 General Election in full compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Responding on behalf of political parties, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, supported INEC's decision to appeal the judgments, saying conflicting court rulings had created uncertainty for parties and candidates.
He also called on the National Assembly to review aspects of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly provisions governing party primaries, which he said had contributed to disputes and operational challenges during the nomination process.
