INEC Extends Deadline for Submission of Party Membership Registers Ahead of 2027 Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the submission of political parties’ registers of members as part of preparations for the 2027 general election.
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The decision was reached during a meeting between the Commission and political parties held on March 24, 2026, following concerns over the earlier timeline, which had scheduled submissions between April 1 and April 21, 2026.
According to INEC, the adjustment aligns with the 21-day requirement stipulated in Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026, ensuring that submission timelines correspond with the actual dates political parties fix for their primaries.
Under the revised arrangement, political parties are now free to conduct their primaries within the approved window of April 23 to May 30, 2026. However, parties are required to submit their membership registers no later than 21 days before their respective primaries.
As a result, INEC announced that the final deadline for submission of party membership registers has been extended to May 10, 2026, replacing the earlier deadline of April 21, 2026.
The Commission emphasized the importance of strict compliance with the updated timeline to ensure a smooth and credible electoral process.
The announcement was signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, on March 27, 2026.
INEC Extends Deadline for Submission of Party Membership Registers Ahead of 2027 Elections