House Committee Directs INEC To Disqualify Candidates Over Electoral Act Breach

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Hon. Prince Bayo Balogun


The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to audit candidates submitted by political parties for the 2027 General Election and disqualify those found to be in breach of Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The committee, in a letter dated September 30, 2026, signed by its Chairman, Hon. Prince Bayo Balogun, urged INEC to enforce the provisions of Section 77(4) to (6), following the recent judgment of the Supreme Court on the constitutionality and validity of the provisions.

The committee said the Supreme Court judgment had removed the uncertainty that previously surrounded Section 77(5), which provides that only members whose names appear in a political party’s register are eligible to vote or be voted for at party primaries, congresses and conventions.

According to the committee, INEC had earlier expressed concerns over judicial pronouncements and pending court proceedings relating to the interpretation and enforceability of the provisions.

It said the Commission’s position was understandable at the time, given the pending judicial proceedings and the need to avoid taking administrative decisions that could later be affected by a final court determination.

However, the committee noted that the legal position had now changed following the Supreme Court’s decision, stressing that the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act should be fully enforced.

It therefore urged INEC to conduct an audit of the candidates submitted by all political parties for the 2027 elections and verify whether their names are contained in the party registers previously submitted to the Commission in compliance with Section 77(5).

The committee described the proposed audit as a “litmus test” for INEC, warning that any political party or candidate found culpable should be disqualified.

It said strict enforcement of the law would also help prevent a flood of litigation arising from alleged irregularities and non-compliance with Section 77(4) to (6) by political parties and their candidates.

The committee further urged INEC to act without further delay, saying compliance with the Electoral Act would strengthen the credibility of the electoral process and ensure that political parties conduct their internal elections in accordance with the law.

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