Fresh legal requirements could shape how political parties conduct their primaries ahead of the 2027 elections, following a Supreme Court ruling on key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
The seven-member panel, led by Justice Adamu Jauro, on Thursday upheld an appeal by INEC and restored the Federal High Court judgment, overturning the Court of Appeal’s decision that had nullified Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Act.
The restored provisions require parties to use membership registers submitted to INEC at least 21 days before primaries, congresses or conventions. Parties that fail to submit the register within the prescribed period may be barred from fielding candidates.
Section 84(2) also provides for direct primaries or consensus in candidate selection.
The Supreme Court awarded N2 million in costs against the Zenith Labour Party, which challenged the provisions.
Legal practitioners said the ruling does not automatically invalidate individual candidates, stressing that any challenge must be determined based on the circumstances of each nomination.
The decision places renewed focus on party membership registers and compliance with nomination procedures ahead of the 2027 elections.
