The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it is yet to take a final position on the deadline for the submission of candidates by political parties for the 2027 general election following recent court rulings affecting its electoral guidelines.
Speaking on the matter, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed that the commission has not formally met to review the implications of the judgments or determine how they may affect party primaries and candidate nominations.
According to Haruna, INEC’s immediate priority is to comply with the court’s decisions while simultaneously pursuing legal appeals against aspects of the rulings.
He explained that the commission had not held any meeting on the issue before the Sallah break but indicated that discussions would likely begin once official activities resume.
The development follows recent judgments by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which questioned some provisions in INEC’s guidelines relating to the conduct and monitoring of political party primaries.
One of the rulings held that the electoral body could not impose certain conditions on political parties beyond what is already provided in the Constitution, Electoral Act, and party constitutions.
The judgment also challenged aspects of INEC’s timeline, including the deadline for the submission of candidates by political parties.
However, in a separate ruling, another Federal High Court judge affirmed the commission’s authority to issue and amend election timetables, provided such actions remain within the limits of existing electoral laws.
The conflicting legal interpretations have created uncertainty around the implementation of some election guidelines and the conduct of party primaries ahead of the 2027 polls.
INEC has since approached the Court of Appeal seeking to overturn one of the judgments, insisting that the legal issues surrounding the matter require further clarification.
With political parties already making preparations for future elections, stakeholders are now awaiting INEC’s official decision on how the court rulings will affect electoral timelines and candidate submissions.
