By Nkechi Eze
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that all 22 registered political parties in the country have successfully submitted their membership registers in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 ahead of the 2027 General Election.
According to an official signed statement by Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the submission followed the extension granted by the Commission after political parties raised concerns over the original timeline contained in the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election.
Haruna disclosed that all registered political parties submitted their membership registers as of May 8, 2026, two days before the expiration of the extended deadline.
He explained that following a meeting with political parties, INEC, in a press statement issued on March 27, 2026, reviewed the deadline for the submission of party registers from April 21, 2026, to May 10, 2026, in line with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the actual dates fixed by political parties for their primaries.
The Commission further stated that political parties were permitted to conduct their primaries within the approved period from April 23, 2026, to May 30, 2026, while the submission of party membership registers was required not later than 21 days before the conduct of their respective primaries.
INEC noted that all registered political parties complied with the directive within the stipulated extended timeframe and assured that the submitted registers would undergo the necessary verification processes in accordance with the law.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to conducting free, fair, credible and inclusive elections across the country.
