2027: Reps ⁠ask INEC to disqualify candidates not in submitted party registers

The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to audit party membership registers and disqualify 2027 elections candidates whose names are not contained in it as stated by the Electoral Act 2026.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Chairman of the committee, Bayo Balogun, drew the commission’s attention to the Supreme Court’s ruling on sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) and called for full enforcement on all political parties.

He said that pending legal proceedings concerning the interpretation, constitutionality and enforceability of the sections was over by the virtue of the Supreme Court’s judgement.

The lawmaker recalled that the Supreme Court, on 24 September, restored the provisions after setting aside the Court of Appeal judgement that had declared them unconstitutional.

According to him, the apex court held that the provisions were not inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.

Mr Balogun explained that Section 77(5) provides that only members whose names are contained in the membership register submitted to INEC are eligible to vote or be voted for at party primaries, congresses and conventions.

He said that Section 77(6) requires political parties to use the register submitted to the electoral umpire for such exercises.

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Mr Balogun urged INEC to proceed without further delay to enforce Sections 77(4) to 77(6) in the administration and monitoring of political parties and their electoral activities.

The legislator said that the audit should establish whether the names of the candidates submitted by the parties are contained in the membership registers earlier submitted to INEC in compliance with Section 77(5).

“This will be a litmus test for the commission; any culpable political party and candidates should be disqualified.

“Diligent enforcement of the provision would help prevent disputes and reduce the volume of litigation that could arise from alleged irregularities or non-compliance with Sections 77(4) to 77(6) of the Electoral Act,” he said.