The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the electronic copy of their membership registers to May 10, 2026.
The commission had earlier fixed April 21, 2026 as the deadline but shifted it following concerns raised by political parties.
Adjustment Follows Stakeholders’ Concerns
The National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday.
According to him, the decision was reached after deliberations with party leaders at a meeting held on March 24, 2026.
“Concerns were raised on the timeline for the submission of Political Parties’ Registers of Members… the Commission agreed to adjust the period,” the statement noted.
Primaries Window Remains April 23 – May 30
INEC also reaffirmed that political parties are free to conduct their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
However, the commission stressed that parties must comply with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which require submission of membership registers at least 21 days before their primaries.
Compliance Mandatory for Smooth Elections
INEC emphasised that adherence to the revised timeline is critical to ensuring a smooth and credible electoral process ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“It is imperative that parties adhere to this timeline to ensure a smooth electoral process,” the commission stated.
Implication
With the extension, political parties now have additional time to finalise and submit their membership registers, aligning their internal processes with legal requirements and primary election schedules.
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