The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that political parties that fielded candidates whose names were not on the membership registers submitted to the commission will not be allowed to contest in the 2027 general elections. This warning was made by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna, on Trust TV’s Daily Politics programme. He stated that the commission would take a final decision on the implications of the Supreme Court judgment by next week.
The Supreme Court had in its September 24, 2026 judgment in INEC v Zenith Labour Party affirmed sections 77(5)-(7) of Electoral Act 2026 and upheld INEC’s revised timetable for 2027 elections. Haruna said the judgment affirmed INEC’s position that parties must submit list of members at least three weeks before their primaries. This move aims to ensure the integrity of the electoral process and prevent parties from benefiting from violations of the law.
According to Haruna, affected parties would not be allowed to substitute candidates, adding that parties should not benefit from violation of law. He cited past instances where parties attempted to substitute candidates after violating electoral laws, referencing cases in Zamfara and Plateau. Haruna emphasized that it is too late for parties to make changes to their candidates, and they risk being disqualified if their candidates' names are not on the party register.
Haruna explained that the delay in pronouncement was due to the need to obtain a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment and seek legal advice. He noted that forged judgments had been presented in the past, and the commission must be cautious. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, had earlier disclosed that 112 formal complaints on unlawful withdrawal and substitution were investigated and resolved, except those pending in court.
The commission received the CTC of the Supreme Court judgment on Tuesday morning. Under the revised timetable, INEC fixed presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027. Party primaries were scheduled to hold between April 23 and May 30, 2026, while submission of candidate nominations is from June 27 to July 11, 2026.
Depending on when the commission concludes its review, some political parties may be unable to field candidates for some elective positions. Haruna stated that if a party's candidates are not on the party register, they were not members of the party at the time they contested for those tickets. This could lead to some parties not being able to field candidates for certain positions, including governorship and Houses of Assembly.
The INEC's decision is expected to have significant implications for the 2027 general elections. Key stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the commission's final decision next week. Three key points have emerged: candidates not in party registers risk disqualification, affected parties will not be allowed to substitute candidates, and some parties may be unable to field candidates for certain positions.
Key points
- Candidates not in party registers risk disqualification in 2027 general elections
- Affected parties will not be allowed to substitute candidates
- Some parties may be unable to field candidates for certain positions
