INEC Bars Parties Fielding Unregistered Candidates in 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that political parties fielding candidates not listed on the registers submitted to the commission will be barred from participating in the 2027 elections. This decision follows a September 24, 2026, Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the constitutionality of Sections 77(5), 77(6), and 77(7) of the Electoral Act 2026 and upheld the commission's revised election timetable.

INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna stated that parties will not be permitted to substitute ineligible candidates, arguing that parties cannot benefit from their own offenses. Haruna noted that some parties may fail to field candidates for governorship or house of assembly seats if the candidates' names were missing from the party register during ticket contests.

INEC expects to issue a final pronouncement on the judgment by Tuesday of the following week, pending legal advice and verification of the Certified True Copy of the ruling.