BREAKING NEWS: INEC Extends 2027 Candidate Submission Deadline

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reversed its earlier position and extended the deadline for political parties to submit candidates for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.

INEC announced on Sunday that the deadline, which expired on Saturday, July 11, had been shifted by three days to midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

The commission had earlier insisted that there would be no extension, despite complaints from political parties over difficulties encountered while uploading candidates’ details through its nomination portal.

However, INEC said it reconsidered its position following an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council on behalf of affected political parties.

The extension was announced in a statement signed by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

“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.

INEC added that the deadline contained in the revised timetable had now been moved from Saturday, July 11, to Tuesday, July 14.

“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.

INEC explained that the decision was taken to promote inclusivity 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,” it stated.

The electoral body urged political parties to use the additional three-day window to complete the uploading of their candidates’ names and personal particulars.

“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,” it added.

Several political parties had complained that technical and administrative problems on INEC’s online portal prevented them from completing their submissions before the original deadline.

The Young Progressives Party was among those that publicly demanded an extension, arguing that candidates should not be denied participation because of problems caused by the nomination system.

Before the reversal, INEC had maintained that Saturday remained the final day for submissions and warned that the deadline would not be shifted.

The commission had also disclosed that some major parties had yet to complete the submission of their presidential and National Assembly candidates before the deadline.

The ruling All Progressives Congress has since announced that it successfully uploaded the details of its 471 candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections.

Political parties now have until midnight on Tuesday to complete their submissions before the new deadline expires.