The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the submission of political parties’ membership registers ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing concerns raised by stakeholders over the initial timeline.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, announced the development in a statement.
“The register of party members must be submitted to INEC not later than 21 days before the holding of their respective primaries,” Haruna stated.
According to the commission, the decision followed deliberations with political parties, which expressed concerns about the earlier schedule during a recent consultative meetin
INEC explained that the adjustment is in line with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates that political parties submit their membership registers at least 21 days before conducting their primaries.
“The revision aligns with the provisions of the Electoral Act and is necessary to ensure compliance and transparency in the electoral process,” the statement added.
With the revised timeline, political parties are now allowed to conduct their primaries within the approved window, provided they meet the 21-day submission requirement.
The electoral body stressed that strict adherence to the new schedule is essential to guaranteeing a smooth and credible election cycle.
INEC had earlier released a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, as well as to address concerns over potential overlaps with the Ramadan period.
Under the updated schedule, presidential and National Assembly elections are slated for next year, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will follow thereafter.
Other key activities outlined by the commission include continuous voter registration, which will run from this year into next year, as well as the submission of nomination forms and publication of the final list of candidates within the stipulated period.
Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to commence later this year and conclude early next year, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will span into the following year.
INEC also reiterated that all political campaigns must end at least 24 hours before election day, in line with electoral guidelines.
