Nigeria TV Info 

INEC Deadline: Opposition Parties Rush to Submit Membership Registers

Opposition political parties in Nigeria are reportedly making last-minute efforts to comply with the directive of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the deadline for submission of updated membership registers draws near.

The electoral body had earlier issued a nationwide notice mandating all registered political parties to submit their up-to-date membership registers as part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving transparency, internal democracy, and voter verification ahead of future elections.

As the deadline approaches, several opposition parties are said to be under pressure, with internal party officials working round the clock to reconcile membership data, verify records across wards and local government areas, and correct inconsistencies that could affect their compliance status.

Some party leaders have expressed concern over the short timeline, arguing that the process is administratively demanding, especially for parties with large nationwide structures. However, INEC insists the exercise is essential to clean up party registers and reduce issues of ghost members, inflated figures, and disputed primaries.

Political analysts say the development could reshape internal party structures, forcing stronger digital record-keeping systems and improved grassroots membership tracking. They also note that failure to comply could affect party participation in future electoral activities, including primaries and candidate nominations.

INEC has maintained that it will not extend the deadline indefinitely, stressing that compliance is a legal requirement under the electoral framework guiding political party operations in Nigeria.