SUPREME COURT RESERVES JUDGMENT IN INEC, ZLP LEGAL BATTLE ON ELECTORAL ACT PROVISIONS

The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in an appeal filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission against a Court of Appeal judgment voiding provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 dealing with political party primaries and membership registers.

The appeal arose from a suit filed by the Zenith Labour Party, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging provisions of the Electoral Act which the party said were inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.
A seven-man panel of the apex court, presided over by Justice Adamu Jauro on Wednesday reserved judgment after hearing arguments from the parties.

The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, presided over by Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, dismissed the party’s action in a judgment delivered on May 5, 2026 prompting the party to appeal to the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered on July 16, 2026, allowed the appeal in part and voided provisions of the Electoral Act relating to party primaries and membership registers which informed the decision of INEC to head to the apex court.

The apex court is now expected to determine whether the Court of Appeal was right to void the disputed provisions of the Electoral Act or whether the statutory requirements imposed on political parties should remain in force.