The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the names and personal particulars of their presidential and National Assembly candidates for the 2027 general election.
The electoral commission announced on Sunday that the submission deadline, which was initially scheduled to close at midnight on Saturday, July 11, has now been extended to midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
INEC disclosed the development in a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
According to the commission, the extension followed an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), which requested additional time on behalf of political parties that had yet to complete the upload of their candidates’ details.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission has approved the extension of the deadline for submission of lists of candidates for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections by political parties,” the statement said.
It added, “The deadline for submission in the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election, being Saturday, 11th July 2026, has been extended to midnight on Tuesday, 14th July 2026.”
INEC explained that the decision was aimed at ensuring that all political parties were given a fair opportunity to complete the nomination process while remaining within the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“The extension underscores the commission’s commitment to ensuring inclusivity in its practices while acting within the ambit of the law,” the statement noted.
The commission also urged political parties to maximise the extra time by completing all necessary uploads before the revised deadline expires.
“The commission enjoins political parties to take advantage of this window of opportunity and ensure that all necessary details are uploaded before the expiration of the new deadline,” INEC stated.
The extension comes after several political parties reported technical and administrative difficulties in uploading the names and personal particulars of their candidates through the commission’s online nomination portal.
Before the latest decision, INEC had maintained that the July 11 deadline would not be altered despite appeals from some political parties seeking more time to complete the nomination process.
