The Independent National Electoral Commission has confirmed that all 22 registered political parties complied with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 by submitting their membership registers ahead of the revised deadline for preparations toward the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued by the Commission, INEC disclosed that the parties met the extended submission deadline of May 10, 2026, following earlier concerns raised during a meeting with party leaders held on March 24, 2026. The Commission had initially fixed April 21, 2026, as the deadline under its Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 elections before granting a two-week extension to accommodate the parties’ proposed primary election schedules.
According to INEC, the adjustment was formally announced on March 27, 2026, in line with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires political parties to submit their membership registers at least 21 days before conducting primaries.
“The submitted registers will now be subjected to the necessary verification processes in line with the law,” the Commission stated.
INEC also noted that political parties are permitted to conduct their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026, as part of preparations for the next general election cycle. The development is seen as a significant milestone in the electoral process, as compliance with membership register submission is one of the key legal requirements for participation in the elections.
