INEC Extends Deadline for Submission of Candidates for 2027 Presidential, National Assembly Elections

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 by three days.

The electoral body announced that the new deadline is midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, extending the earlier deadline of Saturday, July 11, 2026.

In a statement issued on Sunday, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said 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 stipulated timeframe.

Haruna explained that the Commission approved the extension to promote greater participation in the electoral process while remaining within the provisions of the Electoral Act and the timetable for the 2027 general election.

“The decision to extend was based on an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council, on behalf of political parties that were unable to upload the names and personal particulars of their candidates within the scheduled timeline,” the statement said.

INEC urged all political parties yet to complete the process to take advantage of the extension and submit the names and personal particulars of their candidates before the new deadline expires.

The extension comes as political parties conclude their primary elections and prepare for the next stages of the Commission’s timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election.

The electoral body maintained that no further extension should be expected, urging parties to comply with the revised deadline to avoid disqualification of candidates not submitted within the stipulated period.