2027 Elections: INEC Warns Parties Against Violating Membership Register Rules

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned that political parties that fail to comply with statutory requirements governing membership registers may be barred from fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections.

The commission said it would not allow parties to substitute candidates whose nominations are affected by non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

INEC National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed the position while speaking on Trust TV’s Daily Politics programme.

Haruna explained that the commission was reviewing the implications of the Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, which upheld the constitutionality of provisions of the Electoral Act concerning party membership registers and candidate nominations.

He said allowing parties that violated the law to replace affected candidates would amount to permitting them to benefit from their own non-compliance.

According to him, the law requires political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before their primaries, congresses or conventions. Only members whose names appear in the submitted register are eligible to participate in the relevant party processes.

Haruna added that the commission’s position would apply across elective positions, including governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

He noted that the outcome of INEC’s review could leave some parties unable to field candidates for certain positions if they were found to have violated the statutory requirements.

Among the political figures whose nominations have attracted attention following the judgment is Kingsley Chinda, the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Rivers State. Others include Ovie Omo-Agege, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, senatorial candidate for Delta Central, and former Cross River State governor Donald Duke, who is associated with the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP.

However, the Supreme Court judgment did not specifically disqualify the named candidates. Their status depends on the relevant facts and INEC’s assessment of compliance with the law.

Haruna said the commission had sought legal advice after obtaining the certified true copy of the judgment, stressing the need to ensure that any decision was based on the authentic court document and the applicable law.

The development has generated concern among political parties and aspirants as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue, with INEC expected to clarify the practical implications of the ruling.