The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it has received a certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgement on sections of the Electoral Act 2026. According to Premium Times Nigeria, the judgement concerns Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act, which regulate political parties’ membership registers and the nomination of candidates for elective positions. The Supreme Court ruled on these provisions following a suit by the Labour Party and four others challenging their constitutionality (Premium Times Nigeria). It remains unclear when the judgement was delivered or what its specific rulings were, as INEC has not provided further details. This development comes amid ongoing preparations for the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.
The Supreme Court judgement is expected to have significant implications for political parties and their candidate selection processes ahead of the upcoming elections. The Electoral Act provisions in question deal with issues such as the minimum number of years a member must belong to a party before standing as a candidate, the validity of electronic transmission of results, and the use of direct primaries in party nominations (Premium Times Nigeria).
Political parties have been urged to familiarise themselves with the judgement and adjust their procedures accordingly to avoid any legal challenges or disqualifications. The Independent National Electoral Commission has also emphasised its commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and transparent electoral process in 2027.
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