INEC Extends Deadline for Party Registers Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission has extended the deadline for political parties to submit their membership registers as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The decision was announced on Friday in Abuja after concerns were raised by political parties over the earlier schedule. The adjustment was made to give parties more time and ensure compliance with electoral rules.

The commission explained that the change followed discussions held earlier in the week with political parties, where many expressed difficulty meeting the initial timeline. The previous schedule had fixed the submission period between April 1 and April 21, 2026.

However, the commission reviewed the dates to align with the requirements of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates a specific timeframe before party primaries.

With the new arrangement, political parties are now allowed to conduct their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026. This window gives parties flexibility to plan their internal elections while meeting legal requirements. The commission also made it clear that each party must submit its membership register at least 21 days before its chosen date for primaries.

As part of the adjustment, the final deadline for submitting party membership registers has been moved to May 10, 2026. This replaces the earlier deadline of April 21. The commission noted that this step is necessary to ensure a smooth and orderly electoral process as the country prepares for the next general elections.

The electoral body also assured stakeholders of its readiness to continue working with political parties to maintain a credible process. It maintained that all parties must follow the updated timeline strictly to avoid disruptions in the election process.