The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that all 22 registered political parties in Nigeria, have successfully submitted their membership registers in compliance with the Electoral Act, 2026.
In a statement issued on Friday, the commission disclosed that the parties met the extended deadline granted after concerns were raised over the original timeline contained in the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
Key Highlights:
- Independent National Electoral Commission confirmed that all 22 registered political parties submitted their membership registers ahead of the 2027 elections.
- The submission followed an extension of the deadline after consultations with political parties.
- The deadline was moved from April 21 to May 10, 2026, but all parties completed submissions by May 8.
- The process complies with the Electoral Act 2026 and is linked to preparations for party primaries scheduled between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
- INEC said it will now verify the submitted registers and reiterated its commitment to free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.
According to INEC, the extension followed consultations with political parties during a meeting held on March 24, 2026.
The commission subsequently shifted the submission deadline from April 21 to May 10, 2026, through a press statement released on March 27.
INEC noted that all political parties completed the submission process by May 8, two days before the final deadline.
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The electoral body explained that the adjustment was made to align with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the dates fixed by political parties for their primaries.
Under the revised timetable, political parties are permitted to conduct their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026, while party membership registers must be submitted at least 21 days before the conduct of their respective primaries.
INEC stated that the submitted registers would now undergo the required verification processes in line with the law.
The commission also reaffirmed its commitment to conducting free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections ahead of the 2027 general polls.
