The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that candidates whose names are not contained in the membership registers submitted by their political parties to the commission 21 days before their primaries will not contest the 2027 general election. This decision is based on the Supreme Court judgment validating the 2026 Electoral Act. INEC's National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, made this statement during a television interview.
Haruna explained that INEC received the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment on Tuesday and is currently studying it with the help of its team of legal experts, including five Senior Advocates of Nigeria. The commission is taking its time to ensure that it interprets the judgment correctly, as it had previously seen instances where people had forged Supreme Court judgments. Haruna emphasized the importance of being careful with these matters, as they can affect the outcome of the election.
According to Haruna, INEC will meet next week to take a decision on the matter, and some parties may not be able to field candidates, including governorship candidates. He cited previous cases in Zamfara and Plateau states to justify the commission's position. Haruna also admitted that many candidates and parties are anxious about the development, but INEC will rely on the advice of its legal team to make a decision.
The INEC official emphasized that any party that wants to contest the election must submit the list of its membership three weeks before their primaries. He expressed concern about the late release of funds to the commission, which is affecting its preparations for the election. Haruna noted that the Electoral Act provides that funds for the elections should be released six months before the elections, but this has not been the case.
Haruna highlighted the challenges INEC faces in preparing for the election, including the importation of sensitive materials such as ballot papers and results sheets. He noted that local printers can print these materials, but the timeline is tight, and the commission needs to plan carefully. The late release of funds is affecting INEC's ability to plan and prepare for the election.
The INEC official also mentioned that some parties may not be able to change candidates, as it is too late to do so. He emphasized that the law is clear, and parties that do not comply with the regulations will not be able to benefit from the election. Haruna's statement has sparked anxiety among candidates and parties, who are eagerly waiting for INEC's decision.
INEC's decision on the matter is expected next week, and it will have significant implications for the 2027 general election. The commission's position on the matter will determine which parties can field candidates and which ones will not be able to participate in the election. The development has highlighted the importance of complying with electoral regulations and the need for parties to submit their membership registers on time.
Key points
- INEC may bar parties that didn't submit membership registers 21 days before primaries from fielding candidates in the 2027 general election.
