The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has strongly rejected allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that it “smuggled” unauthorised candidates into the party’s list for some State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra and Benue States.
INEC described the allegation as unfounded and untrue, insisting that political parties—not the electoral commission—are legally responsible for nominating their candidates.
According to the Commission, its role in monitoring party primaries is limited to statutory oversight. It does not have the legal authority to select, insert or replace candidates submitted by political parties.
INEC said that as preparations for the 2027 elections commenced, each of the 22 registered political parties nominated two technically trained officials to manage its candidate nomination process after undergoing training organised by the Commission.
The parties’ National Chairmen were then issued portal access codes personally and directly, eliminating the possibility of access being obtained through proxies.
The Commission said the final candidate lists were generated from submissions made by the parties themselves and jointly signed by their National Chairmen and National Secretaries using the relevant Form EC9 series (A–G).
INEC therefore challenged the basis of the NDC’s claim that the Commission independently uploaded or manipulated its candidates.
In a particularly pointed clarification, the Commission said it has Form EC9E in its possession, showing the disputed candidates as submitted to INEC and duly endorsed by the NDC’s National Chairman and National Secretary.
The electoral umpire maintained that the documentary trail speaks for itself and reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability and a level playing field for all political parties as the country heads towards the 2027 general elections.
The statement was signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), dated September 1, 2026.
The bottom line from INEC: the candidates were submitted by the political party itself; the Commission says it did not “smuggle” or substitute them.
