INEC Confirms All 22 Political Parties Met Membership Register Deadline Ahead of 2027 Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission has confirmed that all 22 registered political parties in Nigeria have complied with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 by submitting their membership registers ahead of the revised deadline for the 2027 general elections.

INEC disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, noting that the submissions were completed on May 8, 2026 — two days before the extended May 10 deadline.

According to the electoral body, the initial deadline for submission had earlier been fixed for April 21, 2026, under the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election. However, following concerns raised by political parties during a stakeholders’ meeting held on March 24, INEC extended the deadline to May 10.

The commission explained that the adjustment was made to align with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires political parties to submit their membership registers at least 21 days before conducting their primaries.

INEC also reiterated that political parties are permitted to conduct their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026, in preparation for the 2027 elections.

“The Commission wishes to state that all registered political parties complied with the requirement within the extended timeframe,” the statement said, adding that the submitted registers would now undergo verification in line with the law.

The development comes after days of intense activity among political parties, particularly opposition groups, which had reportedly embarked on last-minute registration drives and emergency consultations to beat the submission deadline.

Political observers say the successful submission of the registers marks a major procedural milestone in Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, as parties now shift focus to the conduct of primaries and the emergence of candidates for various elective offices.