The Committee on Electoral Matters has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to audit party membership registers and disqualify 2027 election candidates whose names are not on them, as stated in the Electoral Act 2026.

In a statement on Tuesday, the committee chairman, Bayo Balogun (APC), drew the commission’s attention to the Supreme Court ruling on sections 77(5), 77(6) and 77(7) and called for full enforcement across all political parties.

He said pending legal proceedings over the interpretation, constitutionality, and enforceability of the sections were over by virtue of the Supreme Court’s judgment.

The lawmaker recalled that the Supreme Court, on September 24, restored the provisions after setting aside the Court of Appeal judgement that had declared them unconstitutional. According to him, the apex court held that the provisions were not inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.

Mr Balogun explained that Section 77(5) provides that only members whose names are contained in the membership register submitted to INEC are eligible to vote or be voted for at party primaries, congresses and conventions.

He said that Section 77(6) requires political parties to use the register submitted to the electoral umpire for such exercises.

Mr Balogun urged INEC to proceed without further delay to enforce Sections 77(4) to 77(6) in administering and monitoring political parties and their electoral activities.

The legislator said that the audit should establish whether the names of the candidates submitted by the parties are contained in the membership registers earlier submitted to INEC in compliance with Section 77(5).

“This will be a litmus test for the commission; any culpable political party and candidates should be disqualified.

“Diligent enforcement of the provision would help prevent disputes and reduce the volume of litigation that could arise from alleged irregularities or non-compliance with Sections 77(4) to 77(6) of the Electoral Act,” he said.

(NAN)