Political parties are required to submit their membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, at least 21 days before conducting primaries, congresses or conventions, in line with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
The requirement was reaffirmed following a recent Supreme Court judgment upholding the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
Under Section 77 of the Act, political parties must maintain digital membership registers and make them available to INEC not later than 21 days before the date fixed for their primaries, congresses or conventions.
The law further provides that only members whose names appear on the submitted register are eligible to vote or be voted for during party primaries, congresses and conventions.
Political parties are also prohibited from using a different membership register for their internal elections from the one submitted to INEC.
The Electoral Act states that a party that fails to submit its membership register within the stipulated period will not be eligible to field a candidate for the relevant election.
INEC’s 2026 regulations similarly require parties conducting direct primaries to submit the relevant membership register to the commission not later than 21 days before the exercise. (INEC Nigeria)
The Supreme Court’s decision has therefore restored the legal provisions concerning party membership registers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ruling is expected to guide political parties, aspirants and electoral officials as parties prepare for their various nomination exercises.
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