Morganable Politics/Elections
The commission also urged political parties to take full advantage of the additional window to complete the submission of their candidates’ details through its online nomination portal before the new deadline expires
kaNo —
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.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the electoral umpire announced that the new deadline is now midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, replacing the earlier deadline of Saturday, July 11.
The statement was signed by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
According to the commission, the decision followed appeals from the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), which acted on behalf of political parties that were unable to complete the upload of their candidates’ details within the stipulated 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.”it added
“The extension underscores the Commission’s commitment to ensuring inclusivity in its practices, while acting within the ambit of the law,” the statement added.
The commission also urged political parties to take full advantage of the additional window to complete the submission of their candidates’ details through its online nomination portal before the new deadline expires.
“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 stated.
The development marks a significant shift in INEC’s earlier position, as the commission had repeatedly insisted that it would not extend the deadline.
He disclosed that several political parties had already uploaded their candidates’ details and that the commission expected all submissions to be completed before midnight.
“At the moment, various parties have uploaded their nominees. They have until 12 midnight to upload. The deadline is still 11,” he had said.
As of that time, INEC confirmed that 14 political parties had successfully submitted candidates through its nomination portal.
14 Political Parties Submit Candidates Lists
These included the Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Labour Party (LP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Haruna also provided a breakdown of submissions, noting that parties such as AA, AAC, ADC, APC, NDC, PRP, SDP, ZLP, and YPP had submitted both presidential candidates and their running mates
. However, others including APGA, LP, NRM, APM, and PDP had not made complete submissions at the time.
He further revealed that while the APC had submitted its presidential ticket, it had yet to upload the names of candidates for all National Assembly constituencies.
Similarly, the PDP had not submitted its presidential and vice-presidential candidates as of Saturday evening.
“I can confirm to you that the APC has submitted its presidential candidate and retained Shettima as his running mate. The only thing is that it has not submitted candidates for all the constituencies,” Haruna said.
“The PDP, too, has not submitted its presidential candidate. The faction recognised by INEC has not submitted its presidential candidate,” he added.
INEC Warns Against Submission Of Candidates Who Skipped Primaries
INEC had earlier warned that its portal would automatically reject any names that did not emerge from duly monitored party primaries, stressing that only candidates nominated in compliance with the Electoral Act and its guidelines would be accepted.
The commission also clarified that political parties facing challenges during the submission process would not necessarily lose the opportunity to field candidates, as provisions exist for substitution within the electoral timetable.
“Parties that encountered challenges during the submission process can still seek substitution in line with laid-down procedures,” Haruna noted, adding that such requests would be treated in accordance with the law.
Pressure for an extension intensified over the weekend, particularly from smaller political parties that reported technical glitches with INEC’s nomination portal.
YPP Urges INEC To Extend Deadline
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) was among those that publicly called for more time, citing difficulties encountered while uploading candidates’ details.
“The Young Progressives Party will be advocating an extension of the deadline in the interest of fairness, inclusiveness, and the integrity of the electoral process,” he said.
Egbeola-Martins explained that the party faced multiple technical challenges in different states, despite conducting valid primaries in compliance with the Electoral Act.
“In some states, the portal was not enabled for us to upload candidates who emerged from validly conducted primaries held in full compliance with the Electoral Act, with some of those primaries duly monitored by INEC officials,” he said.
Observers say INEC’s decision reflects a balancing act between strict adherence to its electoral timetable and the practical realities faced by political actors in a complex democratic environment.
With just days remaining before the new deadline, attention now shifts to whether political parties will be able to resolve outstanding issues and complete their submissions in line with regulatory requirements.
As preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify, INEC’s handling of the process would remain under scrutiny, particularly regarding its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and compliance with the law.
