2027: INEC extends deadline for party membership register submission

The Independent National Electoral Commission has extended the deadline for the submission of political parties’ registers of members as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.

According to the commission, the adjustment followed concerns raised by political parties during the meeting held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, regarding the earlier timeline for submitting membership registers.

The initial schedule had fixed the submission period from April 1 to April 21, 2026.

However, INEC said the timeline has now been revised to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

“The commission agreed to adjust the period for the submission of the Political Parties’ Registers of Members to align the 21 days prescribed by Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act, 2026, with the actual dates fixed by political parties themselves,” the statement read.

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INEC further stated that political parties are now permitted to conduct their primaries within a window spanning April 23 to May 30, 2026.

“Political parties are accordingly informed that they are free to fix the dates of their primaries within the approved period from the 23rd of April 2026 to the 30th of May 2026,” the statement said.

The commission emphasised that strict adherence to the revised timeline is critical to ensuring a smooth electoral process.

It also clarified that parties must submit their membership registers not later than 21 days before their respective primaries.

“This means that the final deadline for the submission of political parties’ registers of members is extended to 10th May 2026, from the 21st April 2026 originally contained in the revised timetable,” the statement added.

INEC reiterated its commitment to working with political parties to ensure a credible and transparent electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.