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Supreme Court restores Electoral Act provisions on party registers and primaries
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has restored key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, overturning a Court of Appeal decision that had invalidated sections regarding political party membership registers and candidate nominations. A seven-member panel led by Justice Adamu Jauro ruled that Sections 77(5) through 77(7) and Section 84(2) do not conflict with the 1999 Constitution. These provisions require parties to maintain digital membership registers and utilize direct primaries or consensus for candidate selection.
The ruling follows a legal challenge by the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), against which the court awarded N2 million in costs. Additionally, the court dismissed separate appeals from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Youth Party.
In related developments, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan announced the deployment of artificial intelligence tools to detect administrative errors and discrepancies in election results. He also cautioned media organizations against the risks of AI-driven deepfakes and synthetic disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Entities
Adamu Jauro · Court of Appeal Kenya · Independent Electoral Commission · Independent National Electoral Commission · Joash Amupitan · Nigeria · South Africa · Supreme Court of Nigeria · Zenith Labour Party
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] PDP candidate Adeoye Adeniran denied that the Supreme Court ruling disqualified Senator Iyabo Obasanjo from the 2027 Ogun Central election. dailyreport.ng · thepodiummedia.com · www.sagagist.com.ng
- [● 3 SOURCES] INEC has begun deploying artificial intelligence tools to detect discrepancies and errors in election results. www.arise.tv · blueprint.ng · von.gov.ng
- [● 4 SOURCES] Section 84(2) mandates that political parties nominate candidates through direct primaries or consensus. www.iroyinyorubatv.com.ng · e247mag.com · www.premiumtimesng.com · businessday.ng
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Supreme Court restored key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 regarding party membership registers and candidate nominations. www.iroyinyorubatv.com.ng · platinumpost.news · e247mag.com · www.premiumtimesng.com · www.thisdaylive.com · +1 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] A seven-member panel led by Justice Adamu Jauro overturned a Court of Appeal decision that had invalidated parts of the Electoral Act. www.iroyinyorubatv.com.ng · e247mag.com · www.premiumtimesng.com · www.thisdaylive.com · businessday.ng
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Supreme Court dismissed separate appeals filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Youth Party. e247mag.com · www.thisdaylive.com · businessday.ng
- [● 4 SOURCES] Sections 77(5), 77(6), and 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026 require political parties to maintain and submit membership registers to INEC. www.iroyinyorubatv.com.ng · e247mag.com · www.premiumtimesng.com · businessday.ng
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Supreme Court awarded N2 million in costs against the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). www.iroyinyorubatv.com.ng · platinumpost.news · e247mag.com · www.premiumtimesng.com · www.thisdaylive.com · +1 more