Telangana CM urges Supreme Court to quash 2015 cash-for-vote FIR

The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in a case involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The appeal was filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against a previous ruling that voided certain provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

The case was brought by the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the constitutionality of these provisions. The Supreme Court panel, presided over by Justice Adamu Jauro, reserved its decision after hearing arguments from both parties. The case centers around Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which deal with the registration of political party members and the nomination of candidates.

The Zenith Labour Party argued that these provisions conflicted with the 1999 Constitution and violated the internal affairs of political parties. The Federal High Court dismissed the ZLP's claim on May 5, 2026. The Court of Appeal later allowed the appeal on July 16, 2026, but only in part, invalidating the disputed sections of the Electoral Act.

The Supreme Court is now set to decide if the Court of Appeal made the correct decision in overturning these sections of the Electoral Act.