…INEC unveiled a fresh electoral calendar outlining timelines for party compliance
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | A National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has defended the commission’s timetable, insisting that the deadline given to political parties to develop comprehensive digital membership registers is realistic and achievable.
On Thursday, INEC unveiled a fresh electoral calendar outlining timelines for party compliance, voter registration and other pre-election activities. The schedule requires political parties to submit complete digital membership registers by April 2, 2026, a move that has drawn criticism from some opposition parties.
Speaking on Friday during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, the commission’s National Commissioner, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, dismissed suggestions that the requirement poses difficulties for parties.
“I don’t see what the big issue with membership is. By now, they are expected to have properly organised their membership,” he said, adding that any serious political party should be able to collate its membership without stress.
Also appearing on the programme, Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesman of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleged that the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act was part of a strategy by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the 2027 elections. He stressed that the ADC would resist any attempt to legitimise what he described as a flawed process.
Responding, Haruna maintained that meeting the April deadline should not be problematic and emphasised that INEC is strictly guided by existing laws.
“They are entitled to their opinion, but INEC has no discretion in rejecting any law. We are bound by the law as it stands,” he said.
While standing by the timetable, the commissioner admitted that it poses operational challenges for the commission. He noted delays in the release of funds and the need to procure additional equipment, including Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines to replace missing units, as well as the printing of ballot papers and result sheets. Although INEC previously handled much of its printing internally, some raw materials are sourced externally.
“INEC is preparing, but I cannot say we are fully ready because funding for sensitive materials has not yet been released,” he stated.
Haruna also disclosed plans to revalidate the voter register but expressed concern over low public engagement during the objection and verification period. According to him, many citizens fail to respond during the publication window, which complicates the process.
