By Anayo Akwitti
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has filed appeals against recent Federal High Court judgments affecting parts of its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, insisting that harmonised electoral timelines remain critical to credible elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the Commission’s second quarterly consultative meeting with political party leaders.
“The Commission remains respectful of judicial decisions but is seeking authoritative clarification from appellate courts on the extent of its constitutional and statutory powers to regulate electoral activities,” he said.
He explained that while one court ruling questioned aspects of INEC’s election timetable, another affirmed its authority to issue electoral schedules but struck out some provisions relating to candidate nomination and substitution.
According to him, electoral processes such as primaries, voter registration, ballot production, and deployment of technology must operate within a coordinated framework to ensure efficiency and certainty.
INEC Declares Readiness for Ekiti Governorship Election
The electoral body also assured Nigerians of its preparedness for the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026, noting that all logistics and security arrangements are on track.
“Logistics, deployment of election technology, training of personnel and stakeholder engagements are progressing as planned,” Amupitan said.
INEC disclosed that Ekiti State has 1,059,360 registered voters, including 66,664 newly registered voters, while 2,103 cases of double registration were invalidated to protect the integrity of the voter register.
The Commission added that all 2,445 polling units across 16 local government areas will open simultaneously at 8:30 a.m. on election day.
Other Elections and Electoral Timelines
INEC also confirmed that bye-elections in six constituencies across Enugu, Nasarawa, Rivers, Ondo, Kano, and Kebbi states will hold on the same day as the Ekiti governorship poll.
Preparations are also ongoing for the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026.
Preparation for 2027 General Elections
Looking ahead to 2027, INEC announced that access codes for its Candidate Nomination Portal will be issued to political parties on June 26, 2026.
“Political parties must ensure timely submission of candidates’ details as the portal will close automatically at the end of the nomination period,” the INEC Chairman warned.
He urged parties to strengthen voter education and mobilization efforts, especially during the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
Call for Political Stability and Compliance
Amupitan also urged political parties to resolve internal disputes quickly, warning that unresolved legal battles could distract from preparations for future elections.
“We encourage political parties to resolve internal disputes promptly as unnecessary litigation remains a distraction ahead of elections,” he said.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to credible, transparent, and peaceful elections, stressing that all stakeholders must work together to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process.
