The Committee on Electoral Matters has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to audit the candidates submitted by political parties for the 2027 General Election and disqualify those whose names are not contained in the membership registers earlier submitted to the commission.<\/p>\n
The committee made the demand in a letter dated September 30, 2026, signed by its Chairman, Hon. Prince Bayo Balogun, drawing INEC\u2019s attention to the provisions of Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026.<\/p>\n
The committee also sought clarification and appropriate action from the commission to ensure compliance with the provisions by all registered political parties.<\/p>\n
Balogun recalled INEC\u2019s response dated July 26, 2026, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, in which the commission expressed concerns over judicial pronouncements and ongoing court proceedings relating to the interpretation, constitutionality and enforceability of certain provisions of Section 77 of the Electoral Act.<\/p>\n
He said INEC\u2019s position was understandable at the time, given the pending judicial proceedings and the need to avoid taking administrative steps that could subsequently be affected by the final determination of the courts.<\/p>\n
However, according to him, the legal position has now materially changed following the judgment of the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n
He noted that the Supreme Court, as the apex court in constitutional and electoral disputes within its jurisdiction, had delivered its judgment on the challenge to the validity and constitutionality of the relevant provisions of Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act, 2026.<\/p>\n
Section 77(5) provides that only members whose names are contained in the register of a political party are eligible to vote and be voted for in the party\u2019s primaries, congresses and conventions.<\/p>\n
Balogun said the Supreme Court\u2019s judgment had removed the uncertainty surrounding the provision, making it imperative for INEC to enforce the relevant sections of the law.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the light of the foregoing, we respectfully request that the Commission now proceed, without further delay, to fully enforce Section 77(4-6) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and ensure that the provisions are given their intended effect in the administration and monitoring of political parties and their electoral activities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The committee specifically urged INEC to conduct an audit of candidates presented by all political parties for the 2027 elections to ascertain whether their names appear in the membership registers previously submitted to the commission, in compliance with Section 77(5).<\/p>\n
It described the exercise as a \u201clitmus test\u201d for the commission, insisting that any political party or candidate found to be in breach of the provision should be disqualified.<\/p>\n
The committee said strict enforcement of the provision would also help prevent a flood of litigation arising from irregularities and non-compliance with Section 77(4-6) by political parties and their candidates.<\/p>\n
It urged INEC to act diligently on the matter in order to ensure compliance with the Electoral Act and strengthen the integrity of the 2027 electoral process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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