2027 Elections: INEC Extends Candidate Submission Deadline

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shifted the deadline for political parties to submit the names and credentials of candidates seeking to contest the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.

The electoral body announced that parties now have until midnight on Tuesday, July 14, to complete the process, extending the earlier deadline of Saturday, July 11.

Under INEC’s timetable for the 2027 general election, political parties were expected to upload the names and personal particulars of their presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates before the initial cut-off date.

Explaining the decision, INEC said the extension followed appeals from political parties that had encountered difficulties meeting the deadline.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the request was formally conveyed through the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).

According to him, IPAC sought additional time on behalf of parties that were yet to complete the submission of their candidates’ details through the commission’s portal.

“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,” Haruna stated.

INEC noted that the extension is intended to give all eligible parties a fair opportunity to comply with the requirements of the electoral process while remaining within the framework of the law.

The commission also urged political parties to utilise the extra period to finalise and upload all required information ahead of the revised deadline.

“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,” the statement added.