INEC Gives Parties Extra 72 Hours To Submit Names Of Candidates

July 12, () — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given political parties a final 72-hour window to submit the names and personal particulars of their candidates for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections, extending the deadline from Saturday, July 11, to midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

The extension was approved following an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), which sought additional time on behalf of political parties that were unable to complete the upload of their candidates’ details within the timeline stipulated in the Commission’s Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election.

Announcing the decision in a statement issued on Sunday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the Commission considered the request and approved the extension in the interest of an inclusive electoral process.

According to INEC, the decision underscores its commitment to ensuring that all political parties are afforded a fair opportunity to participate in the electoral process, while remaining within the confines of the Electoral Act and other applicable laws governing elections.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 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 for submission contained in the Commission’s Revised Timetable, originally fixed for Saturday, July 11, 2026, has now been extended to midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

INEC explained that the extension followed representations by IPAC on behalf of political parties that experienced difficulties uploading the names and personal particulars of their candidates before the expiration of the earlier deadline.

reports that the submission of candidates’ lists marks a critical stage in preparations for the 2027 General Election, paving the way for the Commission to verify nominations and proceed with subsequent activities outlined in the electoral timetable.

The electoral body urged all political parties to take full advantage of the additional three-day window by completing the upload of all required information before the new deadline, stressing that the opportunity should not be taken for granted.