INEC Extends 2027 Candidates’ Submission Deadline

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended by three days the deadline for political parties to submit the names and personal particulars of their presidential and National Assembly candidates for the 2027 general elections.

Naija News reports that the commission announced on Sunday that the deadline, which was originally scheduled to expire at midnight on Saturday, July 11, had been shifted to midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

INEC disclosed this in a statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

According to the electoral body, the extension followed an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) on behalf of political parties that were unable to complete the upload of their candidates’ details within the initial timeframe.

“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 read.

“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.”

The commission said the decision reflected its commitment to promoting inclusivity 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,” INEC stated.

It urged political parties to use the additional period to complete the submission of all required information before the new 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.

The extension came after several political parties complained of difficulties in meeting the original deadline for uploading the names and personal particulars of their candidates through INEC’s online nomination portal.

Before the extension, the commission had insisted that the July 11 deadline would not be shifted.

Some parties, however, appealed for more time, citing technical and administrative challenges encountered during the submission process.