INEC extends deadlines for the submission of parties’ membership registers

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the extension of deadline for the submission of parties’ membership registers in the revised timetable and schedule of the activities released on Friday night in Abuja ahead of 2027 general elections.

In a statement in Abuja by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, the Commission urged political parties to fix dates for parties’ primaries as they requested within the approved period of 23 April 2026.

At the meeting of the Commission with the Political Parties last week Tuesday, concerns were raised on the timeline for the submission of Political Parties’ Registers of Members under the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election, which was originally fixed for 1st April 2026 to 21st April 2026.

The Commission, at the said meeting, 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.

“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. It is imperative that parties adhere to this timeline to ensure a smooth electoral process.

“The register of party members must be submitted to INEC not later than 21 days before the holding of 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 indicated.