The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has verified that all 22 officially recognized political parties in Nigeria have turned in their membership registers, as required by the Electoral Act of 2026, to prepare for the upcoming 2027 general elections.
In a statement released on Friday, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, who chairs the commission’s Information and Voter Education Committee, made this announcement. He emphasized that this step is mandatory under the law to ensure transparency in the electoral process.
The submission deadline was initially set for April 21, 2026, but after discussions during a meeting on March 24, 2026, INEC granted an extension. The new cutoff date was moved to May 10, 2026, aligning with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the timetable for party primaries.
Remarkably, all political parties met the requirement ahead of the extended deadline, delivering their registers by May 8, 2026. This early compliance, two days before the final date, demonstrates a collective effort to adhere to electoral regulations.
INEC also outlined that party primaries are scheduled to take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026. Crucially, membership registers must be submitted no later than 21 days before a party holds its primaries. The submitted registers will now undergo a thorough verification process to confirm their accuracy and legality.
The commission reiterated its dedication to organizing free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections in 2027, with this verification being a key part of that commitment.