The Independent National Electoral Commission has confirmed that all 22 registered political parties have submitted their membership registers in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a press statement dated 15 May 2026, INEC said the submissions were completed on 8 May 2026, two days before the extended deadline of 10 May. The Commission attributed the timely compliance to an extension granted after political parties raised concerns over the original timeline during a meeting on 24 March 2026.
The extension was announced in a statement on 27 March 2026. INEC adjusted the deadline for submission from 21 April to 10 May 2026 to align with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the primary election dates set by the parties themselves.
Under the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election, parties were permitted to conduct primaries between 23 April and 30 May 2026. The law requires each party to submit its membership register to INEC not later than 21 days before the conduct of its respective primaries.
“The Commission is pleased to note that all registered parties submitted their registers as of 8th May 2026,” the statement read. INEC added that the registers will now undergo verification processes in line with the law.
INEC reiterated its commitment to delivering free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.
The statement was signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
