INEC Extends Deadline for Party Membership Register Submission to May 10, 2026

pThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit their membership registers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The commission announced that the new deadline is May 10, 2026, replacing the earlier date of April 21, 2026.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
INEC said the decision followed concerns raised by political parties during a consultative meeting held on March 24, 2026, over the initial timeline.
According to the commission, the extension is intended to ensure compliance 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 free to conduct their primaries within the approved window of April 23 to May 30, 2026.
The commission noted that the adjustment aligns statutory requirements with the timelines set by political parties for their primaries and stressed the need for strict adherence to the revised schedule to ensure a smooth and credible electoral process.