The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the names of their candidates for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections, giving them an additional 72 hours to complete the process.
The Commission announced that political parties now have until midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, to upload the names and personal details of their candidates, instead of the earlier deadline of Saturday, July 11.
According to INEC, the extension followed an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), which said some political parties were unable to upload their candidates’ information within the original timeframe. 
Explaining the decision, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the extension underscores the Commission’s commitment to ensuring inclusivity in its practices, while acting within the ambit of the law.
He urged all political parties to make good use of the extra time, stressing that they should ensure all required candidate details are uploaded before the new deadline expires.
The Commission stated that the extension is intended to provide every political party with a fair opportunity to participate in the electoral process, while ensuring that preparations for the 2027 general elections remain on schedule.
