INEC Appeals Supreme Court Ruling on Electoral Act Provisions

The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in an appeal filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against a Court of Appeal judgment that voided provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 concerning political party primaries and membership registers. This appeal, marked SC/CR/495/2026, originated from a suit by the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) at the Federal High Court, Abuja, which challenged the provisions as inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.

The seven-man panel, led by Justice Adamu Jauro, heard arguments from both parties before reserving judgment. INEC, represented by Dr Alex Izinyon SAN, is the appellant, while the ZLP, represented by Ikechukwu Anyalewechhi, is the respondent.

The original suit, FHC/ABJ/509/2026, was dismissed by Justice Mohammed Garba Umar on May 5, 2026. The ZLP's subsequent appeal led to a Court of Appeal ruling on July 16, 2026, which partially allowed the appeal and voided the disputed provisions.

INEC's appeal to the Supreme Court seeks to determine the validity of these provisions.