By: Ganiyu Olayinka
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended by three days the deadline for political parties to submit the names and particulars of their candidates for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the commission said the deadline, originally set to close on Saturday, July 11, 2026, has now been pushed to midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
INEC attributed the extension to an appeal from the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), made on behalf of political parties that had experienced difficulties uploading candidates’ names and personal particulars through the commission’s nomination portal.
Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, who signed the statement, said the extension was designed to give all parties a fair chance to complete the nomination process.
“The decision to extend was based on appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council, on behalf of political parties who were unable to upload the names and personal particulars of their candidates within the scheduled timeline,” the statement read.
The commission said the move reflects its commitment to inclusivity and its adherence to the legal provisions guiding the electoral process.
“The extension underscores the Commission’s commitment to ensuring inclusivity in its practices, while acting within the ambit of the law,” Haruna said.
INEC urged parties yet to complete the process to make use of the additional window and ensure all required information is uploaded before the new deadline lapses.
The submission of candidates’ details is a critical stage in preparations for the 2027 general election. Under the commission’s revised timetable, political parties were required to upload nomination forms and candidates’ particulars for the Presidential and National Assembly elections between June 27 and July 11, 2026, via the dedicated Candidate Nomination Portal.
The revised timetable followed changes to the legal framework governing elections, which necessitated adjustments to key pre-election activities and election dates. Under the current schedule, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are set for February 6, 2027.
Once nominations close, INEC is expected to publish the personal particulars of candidates submitted by political parties, allowing members of the public and other stakeholders to scrutinise the information in line with electoral guidelines. That publication is scheduled for August 14, 2026. The commission reiterated that no further extensions should be expected and urged all political parties to comply with the revised deadline to avoid disqualification from the nomination process.
Tags: #INEC #State House of Assembly elections