The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has adjusted aspects of its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections following consultations with political parties.
The decision was reached after a meeting held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, where parties expressed concerns over the earlier deadline set for submitting their registers of members. Initially scheduled from April 1 to April 21, 2026, the timeline has now been reviewed.
INEC stated that the adjustment ensures compliance with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which mandates that party membership registers be submitted at least 21 days before primary elections.
The revised arrangement now aligns this requirement with the actual dates political parties choose for their primaries.
According to the Commission, political parties are permitted to conduct their primaries within the approved window of April 23 to May 30, 2026. Parties are, however, required to strictly adhere to this timeframe to ensure an orderly electoral process.
As part of the revision, the deadline for submitting party membership registers has been extended from April 21 to May 10, 2026, giving political parties additional time to comply with the legal requirement.
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