Isaac Samuel
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that all 22 registered political parties in Nigeria, including the All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress), African Democratic Congress (African Democratic Congress), and Nigeria Democratic Congress), have met the deadline for the submission of their membership registers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC said the submissions were completed within the extended timeframe, with all parties complying as of May 8, 2026, two days before the May 10 deadline.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
According to INEC, the original deadline of April 21, 2026, was extended following a stakeholders’ meeting held on March 24, 2026, after political parties raised concerns over the election timetable.
The electoral body said the adjustment was made in line with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and in consideration of the schedule for party primaries, fixed between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
The commission said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wishes to inform Nigerians and stakeholders in the electoral process that all 22 registered political parties have successfully submitted their membership registers to the Commission in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026.
“The submission followed the extension granted by the Commission after political parties raised concerns during a meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, regarding the timeline provided in the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election.
“The Commission is pleased to note that all registered parties submitted their registers as of 8th May 2026, two days before the extended deadline.
“Following a meeting with political parties, the Commission, in a press statement issued on the 27th of March 2026, adjusted the deadline for the submission of party registers from 21st April 2026 to 10th May 2026 to align with the provisions of Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the actual dates fixed by political parties for their primaries.
“Political parties were accordingly allowed to conduct their primaries within the approved period from 23rd April 2026 to 30th May 2026, while the register of party members was required to be submitted to the Commission not later than 21 days before the conduct of their respective primaries.
“INEC wishes to state that all registered political parties complied with the requirement within the extended timeframe and will subject the submitted registers to the necessary verification processes in line with the law. The Commission remains committed to the conduct of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.”
