Politics
INEC To Verify Membership Registers Submitted By All Political Parties
reaffirmed its commitment to conducting free, fair, credible and inclusive elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will begin the verification of membership registers submitted by all 22 registered political parties after each party complied with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 within the extended deadline set by the Commission.
In a statement issued on Friday by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC said all political parties successfully submitted their membership registers as of May 8, 2026, two days before the May 10 deadline granted by the Commission following concerns raised by parties over the original timeline.
The electoral body said the extension became necessary after political parties, during a meeting with the Commission on March 24, requested an adjustment to the timetable contained in the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election.
INEC said it subsequently reviewed the deadline on March 27, moving the submission date from April 21 to May 10 in line with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the actual schedules fixed by political parties for their primaries.
The Commission noted that under the revised framework, political parties were permitted to conduct their primaries between April 23 and May 30, while party membership registers were to be submitted not later than 21 days before their respective primaries.
INEC described the compliance by all registered political parties as a positive development in preparations for the 2027 general election, adding that the submitted registers would now undergo the necessary verification processes as required by law.
“The Commission is pleased to note that all registered parties submitted their registers as of 8th May 2026, two days before the extended deadline,” the statement read.
INEC added that the verification exercise is a critical step in ensuring legal compliance by political parties and strengthening the integrity of the electoral process ahead of the next general election.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to conducting free, fair, credible and inclusive elections, assuring Nigerians and stakeholders that every stage of the electoral process would be guided by transparency and strict adherence to the law.
