INEC extends the deadline for the submission of party membership registers to May 10, 2026.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reschedules the timeline for the submission of political parties’ registers of members, following concerns raised by stakeholders over the feasibility of the earlier deadline in the build-up to the 2027 General Election.
The conclusion was arrived at during a consultative meeting between the Commission and political parties held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, where parties expressed reservations about the initial submission window of April 1 to April 21, 2026, as contained in the revised timetable and schedule of activities.
Acvording to a statement issued on Friday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the adjustment was necessary to ensure compliance with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which stipulates that political parties must submit their membership registers at least 21 days before conducting their primaries.
INEC said that political parties are now at liberty to fix the dates of their primaries within the approved period of April 23 to May 30, 2026, providing greater flexibility for internal party processes.
Consequently, the Commission extended the deadline for the submission of party membership registers to May 10, 2026, replacing the earlier April 21 deadline outlined in the timetable.
INEC emphasised that strict adherence to the revised timeline is critical to ensuring a smooth, transparent, and credible electoral process.
It admonished all political parties to take advantage of the extension to properly organise their membership records and comply fully with statutory requirements.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to working collaboratively with stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system, noting that the adjustment reflects its responsiveness to constructive feedback from political actors.
