The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced in a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, a significant adjustment to the 2027 General Election timetable, extending the deadline for political parties to submit their membership registers to May 10, 2026.
The decision follows a consultative meeting held on March 24, 2026, between the Commission and various political party leaders. During the session, stakeholders raised concerns regarding the initial window of April 1 to April 21, arguing that the timeline was too restrictive for parties to comply with statutory requirements while organizing their internal processes.
Alignment with the Electoral Act
In a statement released on Friday, the Commission explained that the adjustment is intended to synchronize the schedule with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act, 2026. This section mandates that parties provide their membership lists at least 21 days before their scheduled primary elections.
By shifting the final submission date from April 21 to May 10, INEC is providing a broader buffer for parties to finalize their records based on their specific primary dates.
The Commission agreed to adjust the period for the submission of the Political Parties’ Registers of Members to align the 21 days prescribed by the Electoral Act with the actual dates fixed by political parties themselves.
Timelines for Party Primaries
Despite the shift in registration deadlines, the window for conducting party primaries remains unchanged. Political parties are authorized to hold their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
The Commission emphasized that while parties have the flexibility to choose their own dates within this period, strict adherence to the 21-day notification rule for registers is non-negotiable to ensure the integrity of the candidate selection process.
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