The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has appealed the verdict of the Federal High Court which declared some provisions in its 2027 election guidelines null and void.

The electoral umpire is asking the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which nullified part of the election guidelines put in place by the commission for the conduct of the 2027 general election.

INEC, in a motion on notice attached to the appeal, is equally praying the intermediate court for an order staying the execution and or further execution of the judgment of the High Court delivered on the 20th day of May, 2026 pending the hearing and determination of the appeal it filed against the judgment.
Few days ago,

Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, nullified guidelines issued by the INEC, directing political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10 as a condition for participation in the 2027 general election.

At the trial court, Youth Party filed a suit challenging the legality of the electoral body’s directive.

The court said in its judgement that INEC could not lawfully shorten the timeline already provided under Section 29 Sub-section 1 of the Electoral Act 2026 for the submission of party membership records and candidates’ particulars.

But in the appeal dated May 25, 2026 filed by INEC, through its counsel, Alex Izinyon, SAN, the electoral umpire prayed the court to set aside the judgment.

In the appeal, the electoral umpire raised nine grounds of appeal.

INEC argued that the High Court erred in law when it failed to pronounce on the jurisdictional issue of the suit being hypothetical and academic, which failure occasioned denial of fair hearing to the appellant.

It also prayed for an order of the court striking out the suit, as the respondent lacks the locus standi to institute and maintain same, describing the suit as being academic.