The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit their registers of members in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
The decision, announced Friday in Abuja by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, follows concerns raised by political parties over the original timeline.
Initially, parties were required to submit their membership registers between April 1 and April 21, 2026.
INEC has now revised the schedule to ensure compliance with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which prescribes a 21-day window.
The new final deadline for submission is May 10, 2026.
In addition, political parties are now free to conduct their primaries within the approved period of April 23 to May 30, 2026.
INEC emphasised that strict adherence to the revised timeline is critical to ensuring a smooth and credible electoral process.
“The commission will continue to work with political parties to guarantee transparency and fairness in the lead-up to the 2027 elections,” the statement added.
This extension gives parties more flexibility to organise their internal processes while aligning with legal requirements, ensuring that Nigeria’s electoral preparations remain orderly and compliant.
