Committee on Electoral Matters urges INEC to disqualify candidates over Supreme Court judgment

 

The Committee on Electoral Matters has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to audit candidates submitted by political parties for the 2027 General Election and disqualify those whose names are 3not contained in their parties’ membership registers.

The committee made the call in a letter dated Sept. 30, 2026, signed by its Chairman, Hon. Prince Bayo Balogun, drawing the attention of the commission to the provisions of Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Balogun also sought clarification and appropriate action by INEC towards ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Act by all registered political parties.

He recalled the commission’s response dated July 26, 2026, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, in which INEC expressed concerns arising from judicial pronouncements and ongoing judicial proceedings over the interpretation, constitutionality and enforceability of certain provisions of Section 77.

According to him, the commission’s position was understandable at the time, given the pending judicial proceedings and the need to avoid taking administrative steps that might subsequently be affected by a final determination of the courts.

“However, the legal position has now materially changed following the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, being the apex and final court in the determination of constitutional and electoral disputes within its jurisdiction,” he said.

Balogun said the Supreme Court had now delivered judgment on the challenge to the validity and constitutionality of the relevant provisions of Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act, 2026.

He said Section 77(5) provided that only members whose names were contained in the register of a political party would be eligible to vote and be voted for at party primaries, congresses and conventions.

“With the Supreme Court’s judgment, this provision is therefore no longer operating within the uncertainty that previously surrounded its interpretation and enforceability,” he said.

The chairman urged INEC to proceed without further delay to fully enforce Sections 77(4) to 77(6) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and ensure that the provisions were given their intended effect in the administration and monitoring of political parties and their electoral activities.

He specifically called on the commission to conduct an audit of candidates submitted by all political parties for the 2027 General Election.

“The audit should ascertain that the names of candidates submitted by political parties are contained in the registers of their respective parties earlier submitted to the commission, in compliance with Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act,” he said.

Balogun described the proposed audit as a “litmus test” for the commission in its enforcement of the new electoral provisions.

He added that any political party or candidate found culpable of violating the provisions should face the appropriate consequences, including disqualification where applicable.

“If diligently done, this exercise will save the courts from a flood of litigations that may arise from irregularities and non-adherence to Sections 77(4) to 77(6) by political parties and their candidates,” he said.

The committee maintained that strict enforcement of the provisions would strengthen compliance, promote internal party democracy and reduce avoidable electoral disputes ahead of the 2027 General Election.