Court Orders INEC to Revise 2027 Election Timetable, Says Deadlines Violated Electoral Act

A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to adjust its 2027 election timetable, ruling that certain deadlines set by the commission violated the Electoral Act.

Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment delivered on Tuesday, held that while INEC has the constitutional power to issue and modify election schedules, it must do so strictly within the timeframes prescribed by law.

The ruling came in a suit filed by the Social Democratic Party, which challenged the commission’s revised schedule of activities released on 27 March 2026. The party argued that the timetable shortened the 120-day window for candidate nomination under Section 29(1) and the 90-day period for candidate withdrawal and substitution under Section 31 of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The court agreed, declaring that INEC could not lawfully abridge the 90 days allowed for substitution of candidates or the 120 days given to parties to submit candidates’ names. Justice Omotosho consequently ordered the commission to amend the election timetable to comply with both provisions.

The judge also affirmed INEC’s broader authority under Section 151 of the Electoral Act to issue subsidiary regulations, including timetables, describing election schedules as a chain of events essential to orderly elections. However, he stressed that such powers must not override the express timelines in the principal legislation.

The judgment comes days after another Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Muhammed Umar, nullified portions of the same INEC timetable in a suit filed by the Youth Party. INEC has since filed an appeal against that decision, asking the Court of Appeal to set aside the ruling on grounds including denial of fair hearing.

The SDP case has been adjourned for further proceedings.