INEC Shifts Deadline for Submission of Presidential, National Assembly Candidates to July 14

The Independent National Electoral Commission has granted political parties an additional three days to submit the names and personal particulars of their candidates for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections, extending the deadline to Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

The electoral umpire announced the extension in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

Under the revised timetable, political parties now have until midnight on Tuesday to complete the upload of candidates’ details through INEC’s online nomination portal, instead of the earlier deadline of Saturday, July 11.

Explaining the decision, the commission said it acted following a request from the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), which appealed on behalf of political parties that encountered challenges in meeting the original submission deadline.

According to the statement, “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 commission further stated, “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.”

INEC said the additional window was granted to ensure that every political party has a fair opportunity to complete the nomination process in line with the Electoral Act and the commission’s commitment to an inclusive electoral process.

It noted, “The extension underscores the Commission’s commitment to ensuring inclusivity in its practices, while acting within the ambit of the law.”

The electoral body also urged political parties to make effective use of the extension by finalising and uploading all required documents before the revised deadline expires.

According to the statement, “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 decision follows reports that several political parties experienced technical and administrative challenges in uploading the names and credentials of their presidential and National Assembly candidates before the initial deadline.

The extension comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general election, with parties racing to conclude their nomination processes in compliance with the commission’s timetable.

Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress had earlier announced that it successfully uploaded the details of its 471 candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections before the expiration of the original deadline.