Abuja, Nigeria – May 18, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that all 22 registered political parties have fully complied with the Electoral Act 2026 by submitting their membership registers, just two days before the revised deadline.
In a statement released by the Commission, INEC said the parties met the extended submission date of May 10, 2026, following concerns raised during a meeting with party leaders on March 24, 2026.
The Commission had initially fixed April 21 as the deadline under its Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election but later granted a two-week extension to accommodate the parties’ proposed dates for primary elections.
The adjustment was formally announced by INEC in a press statement issued on March 27, 2026. According to the Commission, the extension aligned with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires political parties to submit their membership registers at least 21 days before conducting primaries.
Political parties were permitted to conduct their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026, in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
“All registered political parties complied with the requirement within the extended timeframe,” the Commission stated. “The submitted registers will now be subjected to the necessary verification processes in line with the law.”
INEC noted that the verification exercise is part of efforts to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance with electoral regulations ahead of the 2027 polls.
