Supreme Court reserves judgment in INEC appeal over Electoral Act

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

The appeal, marked SC/CR/495/2026, arose from a suit filed by the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging provisions of the Electoral Act which the party argued were inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.

A seven-member panel of the apex court, presided over by Justice Adamu Jauro, reserved judgment after hearing arguments from the parties.

“This matter is now reserved for judgment, at a date to be communicated to the parties,” the judge said.

INEC is the appellant, while the Zenith Labour Party is the respondent.

The original suit, marked FHC/ABJ/509/2026, was filed by the ZLP against the disputed provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

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

The ZLP subsequently appealed the decision, leading to the Court of Appeal judgment that voided the disputed provisions and prompted INEC to approach the Supreme Court.

Details later.