INEC extends deadline for submission of party membership register to May 10

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit their membership registers as part of preparations for the 2027 general election.

In a statement on Friday, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, said the decision followed concerns raised by political parties over the initial timeline.

The commission said it had agreed to adjust the schedule to align with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

“At the meeting of the Commission with the Political Parties on Tuesday, 24th March 2026, 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 statement reads.

“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.”

The INEC commissioner noted that political parties are now allowed to determine the dates of their primaries within the approved window of April 23 to May 30, 2026.

He added that it is imperative that parties adhere to the timeline to ensure a smooth electoral process, noting that the adjustment effectively shifts the final submission deadline.

“The register of party members must be submitted to INEC not later than 21 days before the holding of their respective primaries,” he added.

“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.”