The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has confirmed that all 22 registered political parties in Nigeria have submitted their membership registers in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday and signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
According to INEC, the submissions were completed after the Commission granted an extension following concerns raised by political parties over the initial timeline contained in the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election.
The electoral body explained that the concerns were presented during a meeting with political parties held on Tuesday, prompting the Commission to revise the deadline.
“The Commission is pleased to report that all registered parties submitted their registers by 8th May 2026, which is two days prior to the extended deadline,” the statement read.
INEC recalled that it had earlier issued a press statement on March 27, 2026, extending the deadline for the submission of party membership registers from April 21, 2026, to May 10, 2026.
The Commission said the adjustment became necessary to ensure compliance with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and to align with the actual dates fixed by political parties for the conduct of their primaries.
According to the Commission, political parties were permitted to hold their primaries between April 23, 2026, and May 30, 2026, while membership registers were required to be submitted no later than 21 days before the conduct of the respective primaries.
INEC further confirmed that all the registered political parties complied with the requirement within the extended timeframe.
The Commission added that the submitted registers would now undergo the necessary verification processes in accordance with the law.
INEC also reaffirmed its commitment to conducting free, fair, credible and inclusive elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
