The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday confirmed that all 22 registered political parties successfully submitted their membership registers in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission said none of the parties defaulted in the submission process following an extension earlier granted to accommodate concerns raised by political parties over the initial timeline.
INEC disclosed that the submission followed deliberations held with political parties during a meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, where stakeholders requested adjustments to the schedule contained in the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election.
In a statement issued by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the electoral body said all political parties completed the submission process by May 8, 2026 — two days before the extended deadline.
Haruna stated: “Following a meeting with political parties, the Commission, in a press statement issued on March 27, 2026, adjusted the deadline for the submission of party registers from April 21, 2026 to May 10, 2026 to align with the provisions of Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the actual dates fixed by political parties for their primaries.”
According to him, political parties were permitted to conduct their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026, while membership registers were required to be submitted at least 21 days before the conduct of their respective primaries.
“INEC wishes to state that all registered political parties complied with the requirement within the extended timeframe and will subject the submitted registers to the necessary verification processes in line with the law,” Haruna added.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to conducting free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections across the country.
The submission of party membership registers forms part of the statutory requirements political parties must fulfil ahead of primary elections and candidate nominations for the 2027 polls.
