INEC Extends Party Register Deadline to May 2026

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit their registers of members ahead of the 2027 general elections, pushing the cutoff to May 10, 2026, from the original April 21 date. The adjustment, announced following consultations with party leaders on March 24, 2026, in Abuja, aims to align the process with the 21-day requirement under Section 774 of the Electoral Act 2026. Parties may now schedule their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026, provided the registers are submitted no later than 21 days prior.

INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Kudu Haruna, who chairs the Information and Voter Education Committee, stated that the change addresses concerns raised during the meeting and ensures compliance to prevent procedural delays. "The adjustment aims to resolve a discrepancy between the fixed dates parties intended for their primaries and the earlier submission deadline," Haruna said in a Friday statement. Officials emphasized that adherence to the new timeline is essential for a smooth electoral process leading into the presidential and National Assembly polls on January 16, 2027, and governorship elections...