A Federal High Court in Abuja has upheld the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) power to issue and alter election timetables, including timelines for party primaries and other pre-election activities.

Justice J.K. Omotosho delivered the judgment on Monday, May 26, 2026, in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/720/2026 filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which questioned INEC’s legal authority to compel political parties to hold primaries within dates set by the commission.

The court held that INEC is empowered under Section 151 of the Electoral Act, 2026, and Section 285(14) of the Constitution to issue subsidiary regulations, including election timetables. Justice Omotosho said the timetable “ensures order and proper arrangement in the activities of political parties in the lead up to elections” and that “without this timetable, there would be chaos in our electoral system”.

The judgment clarified that an election timetable covers more than the voting date. It includes preparatory steps such as the submission of party membership registers, timeframes for primaries, nomination, and other conditional processes required for valid elections.

While affirming INEC’s power to set timetables, the court also noted in a separate but related case — FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026 filed by the Youth Party — that INEC cannot lawfully shorten statutory timelines expressly provided in the Electoral Act, 2026. Justice M.G. Umar ruled that INEC lacked authority to abridge periods for submission of candidates, withdrawal and substitution, publication of final lists, and campaign periods as stipulated in Sections 29(1) and 31 of the Act.

In the SDP case, Justice Omotosho declared that INEC “is empowered by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026 to issue timetable for elections and to even alter same as it deems fit”.

The rulings come as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections. INEC has indicated it is reviewing the judgments and may consider an appeal.