By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja — The 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 now May 10, 2026, replacing the earlier date of April 21, 2026.
This development was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
According to INEC, the adjustment follows concerns raised by political parties during a consultative meeting held on March 24, 2026, regarding the initial submission timeline.
The commission explained that the extension is to ensure compliance with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates that political parties must submit their membership registers at least 21 days before conducting their primaries.
INEC also reaffirmed that political parties are free to conduct their primaries within the approved window of April 23 to May 30, 2026.
“The adjustment aligns the statutory requirement with the actual dates fixed by political parties for their primaries,” the statement noted.
The commission further emphasized the need for strict adherence to the revised timeline to guarantee a smooth and credible electoral process.
