By Abiodun Folarin
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has dismissed allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that it removed the party’s validly nominated candidates for some State House of Assembly constituencies in Anambra and Benue States and replaced them with unauthorised names.
INEC, in a statement issued by the Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Haruna, described the allegations as unfounded, insisting that political parties have exclusive responsibility for nominating and submitting their candidates for elections.
Haruna, however noted that the commission has no legal authority to select, insert or substitute candidates for any political party.
According to INEC, its role in monitoring party primaries is limited to statutory oversight and does not confer powers on the Commission to choose or impose candidates on political parties.
The Commission explained that, ahead of the 2027 general elections, all 22 registered political parties designated two technically trained officers to manage their candidate nomination processes following training organised by INEC.
It said portal access codes were subsequently issued directly to the National Chairmen of the respective political parties, with the codes handed over personally and not through proxies.
INEC further stated that candidate lists were generated based on submissions made by the political parties and jointly signed by their National Chairmen and National Secretaries through the relevant Form EC9 series, covering Forms EC9A to EC9G.
“Therefore, any claim that the Commission independently uploaded or altered candidate information is unfounded and untrue,” the Commission said.
Specifically addressing the NDC allegations, INEC said it had in its possession Form EC9E on which the affected candidates were listed and which was duly signed and submitted by the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary.
The Commission maintained that the documentation in its possession contradicts the allegation that it independently replaced or manipulated the party’s candidates.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and ensuring a level playing field for all political parties and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Commission urged stakeholders to rely on the established nomination procedures and official records in addressing disputes concerning candidate submissions.
