2027: Reps Ask INEC to Disqualify Unregistered Candidates

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The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to audit the candidate lists submitted by political parties for the 2027 general elections and disqualify any individual whose name is not on the official party membership register.

The demand was contained in a letter dated September 30, 2026, signed by the committee chairman, Bayo Balogun, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday. The committee directed the electoral umpire to strictly enforce Section 77, specifically subsections 4 through 6, of the Electoral Act.

According to the committee, the call for immediate enforcement follows a recent Supreme Court judgment validating the constitutionality of Section 77(5). The provision stipulates that only individuals whose names appear in a political party’s official register submitted to INEC are eligible to vote or be voted for during party primaries, congresses, and conventions.

The lawmakers noted that while INEC had previously expressed reservations about enforcing the provision due to pending court challenges, the apex court’s ruling has removed all legal uncertainties. The panel warned that auditing candidate lists will serve as a critical compliance test for the commission and help prevent unnecessary pre-election litigation ahead of the 2027 polls.