The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that political parties fielding candidates whose names were not in the registers submitted to the commission at the close of regulatory time will not be allowed to participate in the 2027 elections. This warning comes after the Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of Sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026 and upheld INEC’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election on September 24, 2026.
INEC National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Haruna, explained the implications of the judgement while speaking on Trust TV’s Daily Politics programme. He stated that parties should not benefit from violations of the law and that the affected parties would also not be allowed to substitute such candidates. Haruna cited past instances where parties tried to benefit from violations, referencing cases in Zamfara and Plateau.
The Supreme Court judgement has significant implications for some high-profile candidates. Rivers State governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Kingsley Chinda; Delta Central senatorial candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Ovie Omo-Agege; former Cross River State Governor and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Donald Duke; and a former Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Victor Ochei, were among those whose nominations might have attracted attention.
According to Haruna, depending on when the commission concludes its review, some political parties may be unable to field candidates for some other elective positions. He stated that all candidates, including those running for the Houses of Assembly, were interviewed, and if their names are not on the party register, they were not members of the party at the time they contested for those tickets.
Haruna explained that the delay in INEC’s final position was due to the need to obtain legal advice after receiving the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgement. The commission had to exercise caution because forged copies of court judgements had been presented in the past. This caution is essential to ensure that the right decision is made.
The commission is set to make a definite pronouncement on the implications of the Supreme Court judgement by next Tuesday. Meanwhile, INEC has announced that the display of voters’ register will begin on October 9 in Sokoto. The commission seeks stakeholders’ support as it moves forward with the electoral process.
The issue has sparked concerns about the potential impact on public confidence in the electoral process. With the 2027 elections approaching, INEC's insistence on upholding the law and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process is crucial. The commission's actions will be closely watched by stakeholders and the general public.
Key points
- INEC will not allow parties fielding candidates not in party registers at close of regulatory time to participate in 2027 elections.
- The Supreme Court judgement affirmed the constitutionality of Sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026.
- INEC seeks stakeholders' support as voters' register display begins on October 9 in Sokoto.
