INEC Challenges Court Rulings, Warns on Party Crises Ahead of 2027 Polls
INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan said the electoral body has challenged the rulings about the scope of the commission’s authority on electoral matters and has approached the judiciary to seek...
INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan said the electoral body has challenged the rulings about the scope of the commission’s authority on electoral matters and has approached the judiciary to seek clearer guidance from the appellate court on the issues raised.
Speaking during a meeting with political party leaders on Tuesday, Amupitan said the Commission had reviewed judgments delivered on May 20 and May 26, 2026, which challenged aspects of INEC’s powers and electoral schedule, noting that electoral activities are interconnected and require careful coordination.
According to him, “The commission’s position remains that the activities contained in the timetable and schedule of activities are not isolated events. They are interrelated operational processes designed to ensure the orderly, transparent, and successful conduct of elections.”
“While the Electoral Act prescribes timelines for certain activities, there are several critical electoral processes for which no express statutory timelines are provided but which must necessarily be accommodated within the overall electoral calendar.
“The absence of coordinated timelines for such activities would create uncertainty, disrupt election planning and undermine the Commission’s constitutional responsibility to organise, undertake and supervise elections efficiently and credibly.”
Amupitan listed key activities that must be coordinated, including submission of party membership registers, monitoring of primaries, candidate nomination, ballot printing, deployment of election materials, training of electoral officials, voter education and BVAS configuration.
Warns Political Parties
The INEC chairman also warned political parties that the credibility and outcome of the 2027 general election would depend not only on the commission’s preparedness but equally on the conduct and cooperation of political actors across the country.
He stressed that public confidence in the electoral process would be shaped by the extent to which political parties uphold democratic values, conduct transparent primaries and refrain from actions capable of undermining trust in the system.
According to him, parties must demonstrate greater commitment to internal democracy and national stability, noting that vote buying, electoral violence, hate speech and non-issue-based campaigns remain major threats to credible elections.
Amupitan expressed concern about the increasing number of leadership disputes within political parties currently before the courts, describing them as distractions that could undermine electoral preparations. He appealed for speedy resolution of such cases to prevent further complications.
According to him, “the Commission values the critical role political parties play in our democratic process and recognises that credible elections can only be achieved through constructive partnership among all stakeholders and remains committed to maintaining open channels of communication to ensure that all stakeholders clearly understand our policies, regulations, operational plans and timelines.”
Reaffirming INEC’s neutrality, he stated that “the credibility of elections depends on our collective commitment to the rule of law, democratic values and the integrity of the electoral process, assuring that the Commission remains independent and impartial in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.”
He further assured parties of equal treatment, adding that “we shall continue to provide a level playing field for all political parties and candidates, while ensuring strict adherence to the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and all relevant guidelines.”
Amupitan disclosed that the Commission had already issued regulations and guidelines governing political parties and election conduct in line with the Electoral Act 2026, noting that party primaries had largely been concluded ahead of the next phase of the electoral timetable.
He said attention had now shifted to candidate nomination and announced that political parties would receive official access codes on June 26, 2026, to upload candidates’ details through INEC’s nomination portal.
The INEC chairman urged parties to adequately prepare their ICT personnel for the exercise, warning that the portal would automatically close once the submission deadline expires.
“I urge political parties to ensure that their ICT personnel and relevant officers are adequately prepared and that all submissions are completed well before the stipulated deadlines. The portal is fully automated and will close automatically at the expiration of the prescribed period,” he said.
On voter registration, Amupitan called on political parties to intensify mobilisation efforts, noting that the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise provides eligible Nigerians an opportunity to register, update their records and collect their permanent voter cards. He also emphasised the need for inclusiveness and data protection throughout the process.
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