The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja seeking to overturn a Federal High Court judgment that nullified part of its election guidelines for the 2027 general elections.

INEC is also seeking a stay of execution of the judgment delivered on May 20, 2026, pending the determination of its appeal before the appellate court.

The appeal, filed through senior advocate Alex Izinyon, followed the ruling of Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which voided INEC’s directive requiring political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10 as a condition for participating in the 2027 elections.

The suit challenging the directive was instituted by the Youth Party, which argued that the electoral body lacked the powers to impose timelines inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

In its judgment, the Federal High Court held that INEC could not lawfully shorten the timeline already provided under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act for the submission of candidates’ particulars and party membership records.

The court ruled that the timeframe announced by INEC for political parties to conduct primaries, as well as timelines for submission, withdrawal, and replacement of candidates, was inconsistent with the Electoral Act 2026.

Dissatisfied with the decision, INEC filed a nine-ground appeal, arguing that the trial court erred in law by failing to address what it described as jurisdictional issues relating to the suit being hypothetical and academic.

The electoral commission further argued that the lower court wrongly interpreted Sections 29(1), 82, and 84 of the Electoral Act 2026 concerning the powers of political parties and the commission’s regulatory responsibilities ahead of elections.

INEC also contended that the judgment was against the weight of evidence presented before the court and urged the Court of Appeal to set aside the ruling and strike out the suit for lack of locus standi.

The electoral umpire maintained that its guidelines were part of efforts to ensure proper planning and effective management of the 2027 electoral process, while the appeal court is expected to determine the legality of the disputed timelines and directives.