Supreme Court Upholds INEC Election Guidelines, Dismisses SDP, Youth Party Cases

The Supreme Court has upheld the authority of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to issue guidelines for the conduct of elections, dismissing separate appeals filed by the Social Democratic Party, SDP, and the Youth Party.

A five-member panel of the apex court dismissed the appeals after finding that the parties failed to establish sufficient grounds to overturn the earlier decisions of the lower courts.

The cases centred on INEC’s guidelines and regulations governing the conduct of elections, with the political parties challenging aspects of the commission’s electoral framework.

The appellants had sought judicial intervention over the guidelines, arguing that certain provisions affected their participation in the electoral process.

INEC, however, maintained that the commission was acting within the powers granted to it by law and that its guidelines were intended to regulate the electoral process and ensure consistency in the conduct of elections.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court affirmed the commission’s constitutional responsibility to organise, undertake and supervise elections and to issue necessary regulations and guidelines within the scope of the law.

The court held that the parties had not provided sufficient legal grounds for the appeals to succeed and consequently dismissed the cases.

The ruling reinforces the legal framework governing INEC’s preparation for elections and its authority to establish administrative procedures for political parties and other participants in the electoral process.

The decision comes as INEC continues preparations for the 2027 general elections, with political parties expected to comply with the commission’s timetable, regulations and guidelines.

The judgment also provides further clarification on the relationship between INEC’s constitutional powers and the rights of political parties participating in elections.

With the appeals dismissed, the commission is expected to continue implementing its electoral guidelines, while parties remain bound by the applicable provisions governing participation in the 2027 polls.