Stemming from a September 30, 2026, letter signed by the Chairman of House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Bayo Balogun, and released on Tuesday, the Committee has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately audit candidate lists submitted by political parties for the 2027 general elections and disqualify any individuals whose names do not appear on their party’s submitted membership registers.
The committee’s demand centers on Section 77 (specifically subsections 4 through 6) of the Electoral Act, 2026. Under Section 77(5), only individuals whose names are explicitly listed in a political party’s official register are legally eligible to vote or contest as candidates in party primaries, congresses, and conventions.
According to Hon. Balogun, INEC had previously hesitated to enforce these provisions due to ongoing court challenges regarding their constitutionality and enforceability. He noted that in a letter dated July 26, 2026, the Secretary to the Commission explained that INEC was withholding administrative action to avoid taking steps that might conflict with upcoming judicial rulings.
However, Balogun emphasized that a recent judgment by the Supreme Court has removed all legal ambiguity surrounding the provision. “The legal position has now materially changed,” Balogun stated, noting that the apex court’s ruling has firmly settled the constitutionality and validity of Section 77(5). He stressed that implementation is “no longer operating within the uncertainty” that previously held the commission back.
The committee urged INEC to enforce Section 77(4–6) without further delay across all party monitoring and administrative procedures. Specifically, the committee requested that INEC cross-reference the names of all party-nominated candidates for the 2027 general elections against the official membership registers earlier submitted to the commission.
Warning that the upcoming electoral cycle will serve as a “litmus test” for both INEC and the political parties, the committee insisted that any party or candidate found in violation of the requirement must face immediate disqualification.
The committee further argued that conducting a thorough audit now would prevent a surge of pre- and post-election lawsuits challenging candidate eligibility.
“If diligently done, it will save the courts from a flood of litigation that may arise from irregularities and non-adherence to Section 77(4–6) by political parties and their candidates,” the letter stated.
Addressing the issue at a public dialogue on Tuesday, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) confirmed that the commission has received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgment and will review the ruling to determine its next steps.
