The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has extended the deadline for the submission of political parties’ registers of members for the 2027 general election to May 10, 2026.
The commission announced the adjustment in a press release dated Friday, March 27, 2026, following concerns raised by political parties over the timeline contained in the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 polls.
INEC said the concerns were raised at its meeting with political parties on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, over the earlier submission window, which had been fixed from April 1 to April 21, 2026.
According to the commission, the adjustment was made to align the submission process with the 21-day requirement prescribed by Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and with the actual dates political parties choose for their primaries.
The commission said political parties are free to fix the dates of their primaries within the approved period from April 23, 2026, to May 30, 2026.
It added that each party must submit its register of members to INEC not later than 21 days before the date of its primary election.
INEC said the new arrangement means the final deadline for the submission of political parties’ membership registers has now been extended to May 10, 2026, instead of the earlier April 21, 2026, deadline in the revised timetable.
The commission urged political parties to comply strictly with the revised timeline to ensure a smooth electoral process.
The statement was signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
