The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 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, following appeals from parties that failed to meet the earlier timeline.
The commission announced on Sunday that the new deadline is midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, replacing the previous deadline of Saturday, July 11, 2026. The extension was disclosed in a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
INEC said the decision followed a formal request by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), which appealed on behalf of political parties that encountered challenges uploading the names and personal details of their candidates within the stipulated period.
According to the electoral body, several parties were unable to complete the online submission process before the deadline, prompting the commission to grant additional time to ensure no eligible political party is unfairly excluded from the exercise.
“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. It added that the deadline contained in the revised timetable has now been shifted to midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
INEC said the extension reflects its commitment to conducting an inclusive electoral process while remaining within the provisions of the Electoral Act. The commission maintained that the decision was taken after carefully considering the concerns raised by political parties through IPAC.
The electoral umpire urged all political parties to take advantage of the extension by completing the upload of their candidates’ names and other required particulars before the new deadline, warning that no further delays should be expected once the submission window closes.
