INEC Confirms All 22 Parties Submit Membership Registers

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed on Friday that all 22 political parties registered in Nigeria have submitted their membership registers in full compliance with the Electoral Act. The announcement was made by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee.

INEC said the submission follows an extension granted after parties raised concerns about the original deadline. While the first cut‑off was set for 21 April, the commission moved it to 10 May, invoking Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act and aligning the timetable with the schedule for party primaries. All parties delivered their registers by 8 May, two days before the revised deadline.

The commission explained that parties were allowed to conduct their primary elections between 23 April and 30 May, with the requirement that membership registers be filed at least 21 days before the start of each party’s primaries. The submitted documents will now undergo verification procedures stipulated by law.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission wishes to inform Nigerians and all stakeholders that every registered political party has successfully complied with the statutory requirement,” INEC’s statement read. “We remain committed to conducting free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.”

The timely filing of membership registers is a key step in ensuring that candidate selection processes are transparent and that voter rolls are accurate. By verifying the registers, INEC aims to curb instances of duplicate or fictitious entries that could undermine the integrity of future polls.

The commission’s adherence to the amended timetable reflects its willingness to accommodate legitimate logistical challenges while maintaining the legal framework governing elections. Observers note that the smooth submission by all parties may signal a more orderly pre‑election environment, though they caution that verification outcomes will be critical in assessing each party’s compliance.

INEC’s next task is to complete the validation of the registers before the commencement of the primaries. Successful verification will allow parties to publish their candidate lists with confidence that the underlying membership data meets statutory standards.

The commission’s action underscores its broader mandate to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the upcoming general elections. As the verification phase progresses, stakeholders will be watching closely for any discrepancies that could affect party eligibility or voter confidence.

By meeting the extended deadline, Nigeria’s political parties have demonstrated a collective commitment to the procedural requirements laid out in the Electoral Act. The upcoming verification will determine whether this compliance translates into a robust and trustworthy electoral roll, setting the tone for the country’s next election cycle.