The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a warning. Political parties that fail to submit verified membership registers within statutory deadlines will be barred from fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections. The commission said the directive follows a binding Supreme Court ruling.
The Supreme Court ruled on 24 September 2026. It restored provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 covering party membership registers and candidate nomination through direct primaries or consensus. The ruling overturned a July Court of Appeal judgement that had voided the provisions. INEC said it would review the Certified True Copy before implementing the decision. The commission has now clarified the consequences. Parties must comply or lose their place on the ballot.
INEC said the deadline for submission is statutory. It cannot be extended. Parties must submit registers that have been verified against the commission’s records. The requirement applies to all parties intending to field candidates. The commission said the ruling leaves no room for discretion. It will enforce the deadline strictly.
The decision has significant implications. Parties that fail to maintain accurate membership records will be excluded. Smaller parties with weak structures are most at risk. The ruling also affects nomination methods. Parties can choose direct primaries or consensus. But they must document the process. INEC will verify compliance.
The 2027 election cycle is approaching. Primaries will begin soon. Parties are scrambling to meet the requirements. Some have not updated their registers in years. The deadline is tight.
Winners: INEC, which asserts authority. Parties with strong structures. The Supreme Court, whose ruling is enforced. Voters, if the register is clean. Losers: Parties with weak records. Candidates who face disqualification. The opposition, if key parties are excluded. Lawyers, if litigation follows. The political process, if exclusion narrows the field.
Bottom Line: INEC will bar parties without verified registers. The Supreme Court ruling is binding. The deadline is statutory. Parties must comply or lose the ballot. The 2027 field may shrink. That is the law.