The African Democratic Congress has launched a free nationwide online membership registration platform as part of its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the initiative forms part of efforts to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and guidelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The party also directed existing members to update and revalidate their personal information on the new digital portal to ensure their details are fully captured in the party’s official database.
Earlier, the electoral commission had announced February 20, 2027, as the date for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state assembly polls were fixed for March 6, 2027.
However, the schedule drew criticism from Muslim stakeholders who observed that the dates fell within the Ramadan period. Following the concerns, the Nigerian Senate amended Clause 28 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, reducing the mandatory election notice period from 360 days to 300 days.
The amendment enabled the electoral body to adjust the election timetable.
Subsequently, the commission released a revised schedule, signed by its chairman, Joash Amupitan, moving the presidential and National Assembly elections to January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections were rescheduled for February 6, 2027.
Under the updated timetable, political parties are expected to submit their comprehensive digital membership registers by April 2, 2026. Some stakeholders have argued that the requirement could place opposition parties at a disadvantage.
The ADC said its membership registration exercise, which began last month, will continue nationwide through both physical and online channels.
According to the party, the digital platform was introduced to simplify enrolment and ensure compliance with the new legal requirements.
The statement noted that only individuals whose details are fully captured and verified on the party’s official digital membership register will be eligible to vote or contest during the party’s primary elections.
The party also urged support groups and associations interested in joining the ADC to register through the new portal and complete the enrolment process.
It, however, reiterated its reservations about certain provisions in the Electoral Act 2026, which it said could give undue advantage to the ruling party, as well as aspects of the election timetable released by the electoral commission.
