South Sudan parliament has revoked the nomination of its nine members to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) who were stopped from swearing-in due to irregularities in their nomination process, a lawmaker said.

The nine MPs were reportedly handpicked by President Salva Kiir through a presidential decree and were approved by the national parliament in March.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, the head of the parliamentary committee for legal and legislation affairs, Dengtiel Ayuen, confirmed that they withdrew the parliamentary approval after a court in Tanzania refused to swear-in the nine candidates.

Dengtiel pointed out that the East African court challenged the manner in which the nine South Sudanese candidates were nominated.

He explained that the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community says the members of the East African parliament to be elected shall represent various political parties and shades of opinion.

The nine candidates include Gai Dheng Nhial, Joseph Okelle, Ann Itto, Gabriel Garang, Gabriel Alaak Garang, Thomas Duoth, Gedion Gatpan Thoan, Isaa Aiz Justin and Adil Elias.