FCT High Court Delivers Landmark Judgment on INEC Timelines Ahead of 2027 Elections

A Federal High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory has delivered what is being described as a major judgment affecting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines and electoral timelines ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The court, in its ruling, reportedly held that INEC’s imposed timelines on political party primaries, candidate nomination processes, withdrawals, replacements, and publication of final candidate lists are not fully enforceable in their current form.

According to the judgment, INEC may monitor party primaries but cannot determine or restrict the timelines for when political parties conduct their internal primaries for elections.

The court further ruled that INEC cannot abridge the time allowed for political parties to submit candidate details, nor impose shortened deadlines for withdrawal or substitution of candidates.

It also held that the publication of the final list of candidates must comply strictly with statutory timelines, including a minimum 60-day period before elections.

Additionally, the court nullified certain INEC-imposed timelines relating to the conduct of primaries, submission of candidate particulars, withdrawal and replacement of candidates, publication of final lists, and campaign scheduling for the 2027 elections.

The judgment has sparked political discussions, with observers suggesting it could significantly affect party preparations and candidate emergence processes if not appealed.