All 22 political parties submitted membership register before deadline – INEC 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has affirmed 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 elections.

INEC disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

According to the Commission, the submission followed an extension granted after political parties raised concerns over the initial deadline during a stakeholders’ meeting held on March 24, 2026.

INEC stated that all political parties submitted their membership registers on or before May 8, 2026, two days ahead of the extended deadline of May 10.

“The Commission is pleased to note that all registered parties submitted their registers as of 8th May 2026, two days before the extended deadline,” the statement said.

The electoral body explained that it had earlier adjusted the submission deadline from April 21 to May 10, 2026, in line with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the approved timetable for party primaries.

INEC said the adjustment became necessary to accommodate the actual dates fixed by political parties for their primary elections.

According to the Commission, political parties were allowed to conduct their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026, while party membership registers were required to be submitted not later than 21 days before their respective primaries.

The Commission noted that the submitted registers would now undergo verification processes in accordance with the law.

INEC reiterated its commitment to conducting free, fair, credible and inclusive elections across the country.

“The Commission remains committed to the conduct of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections,” the statement added.

The submission of membership registers is a key requirement under Nigeria’s electoral framework, as it forms part of the conditions political parties must fulfil before conducting primaries and presenting candidates for elective offices in the 2027 general elections.