INEC: The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to approve and immediately upload the modified logo of the Nigeria Democratic Congress for use in elections conducted by the commission.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik gave the order in a judgment arising from a suit instituted by the NDC after INEC allegedly reverted to the party’s original logo despite the party having submitted a modified design.
The modified logo reportedly retains the two-finger victory sign but features a blue background with “NDC” written in red.
The court declared INEC’s refusal to permit the modification of the party’s colour and logo unconstitutional and illegal, and ordered the commission to recognise the new design as the party’s official logo for electoral purposes.
Justice Abdulmalik also granted a perpetual injunction restraining INEC and its officers or agents from interfering with the NDC’s use of the modified logo.
The decision has potentially important consequences for election administration. With political parties already positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, certainty over party names, symbols and colours is particularly important because these are the identifiers voters encounter on ballot papers.
The ruling also highlights the continuing role of the courts in disputes between political parties and the electoral commission over the scope of INEC’s regulatory authority.
INEC’s own records currently identify the organisation as the Nigeria Democratic Congress, with the acronym NDC.
Whether INEC will appeal the latest judgment or seek any consequential orders remains to be seen.
Source: Premium Times Premium Times
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