INEC: 22 Registered Political Parties Have Submitted Their Membership Registers

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that all 22 registered political parties have submitted their membership registers in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026.

Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said in a statement issued yesterday that the submissions followed an extension granted by INEC after parties raised concerns at a meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, about the timeline set in the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election.

He added, “The Commission is pleased to note that all registered parties submitted their registers as of 8th May 2026, two days before the extended deadline.”

Haruna recalled that after the meeting, INEC issued a statement on March 27, 2026, moving the deadline for party register submissions from 21st April 2026 to 10th May 2026. This change was made to align with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the primary dates chosen by the parties.

Accordingly, parties were permitted to hold their primaries between 23rd April 2026 and 30th May 2026, while the membership register had to be submitted no later than 21 days before the start of those primaries.

Haruna said, “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 reaffirmed its commitment to conducting free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.