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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the submission of political parties’ membership registers for the 2027 general elections to May 10, 2026.
This development was announced by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, in a statement issued on Friday.
“The register of party members must be submitted to INEC not later than 21 days before the holding of their respective primaries,” the statement read.
Haruna revealed that the adjustment followed concerns raised by political parties during a meeting on March 24 about the earlier timeline, which had set the submission period between April 1 and April 21, 2026.
The commission noted that the revision aligns with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates that political parties submit their membership registers no later than 21 days before their primaries.
Party membership
A revised timetable and schedule of activities for the upcoming 2027 elections were released earlier, following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which was reviewed to address concerns over overlaps with the 2027 Ramadan fast, a holy season for Muslims.
The Presidential and National Assembly elections will be held on January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state houses of assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
Political parties are now permitted to schedule their primaries within the approved window of 23 April to 30 May 2026, provided they comply with the 21-day requirement for submission of membership registers with the new adjustments.
