Bayo Balogun Calls for INEC Audit of 2027 Election Candidates

The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, led by Chairman Bayo Balogun, has formally requested the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct an audit of candidates submitted by political parties for the 2027 general elections. This request, made in a letter dated September 30, 2026, emphasizes that candidates must be listed in their respective parties' membership registers, as mandated by Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The committee's demand follows a Supreme Court judgment affirming the validity of Section 77(5), which states that only registered party members can participate in primaries and conventions. Balogun noted that INEC had previously hesitated to enforce this provision due to ongoing judicial proceedings but asserted that the Supreme Court's decision has clarified the legal landscape.

The committee urged INEC to act promptly to prevent post-primary litigation regarding candidate eligibility and warned that any political party or candidate found in violation should face disqualification.