The Independent National Electoral Commission has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the names and personal particulars of their candidates for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The electoral body announced that the submission window, which was initially scheduled to close on Saturday, July 11, will now remain open until midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
The decision was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
According to the commission, the extension followed a request from the Inter-Party Advisory Council on behalf of political parties that encountered challenges completing the upload of candidates’ details before the original deadline.
Haruna said, “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.”
He added, “The deadline for submission in the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election, which was Saturday, July 11, 2026, has now been extended to midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.”
INEC explained that the extension was intended to promote inclusiveness in the electoral process while remaining within the provisions of the law.
“The extension underscores the Commission’s commitment to ensuring inclusivity in its practices while acting within the ambit of the law,” Haruna stated.
The commission urged all political parties yet to complete the nomination process to take advantage of the additional three days to upload the required information before the new deadline expires.
“The Commission enjoins political parties to utilise this window of opportunity and ensure that all necessary details are uploaded before the expiration of the new deadline,” the statement added.
The extension comes after several political parties reportedly experienced difficulties using INEC’s online nomination portal to submit the names and personal particulars of their presidential and National Assembly candidates within the earlier deadline.
