The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced June 26, 2026, as the date it will issue access codes to political parties for the submission of candidates’ details ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The announcement was made in Abuja during a quarterly consultative meeting between the electoral commission and leaders of registered political parties.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the move follows the successful conclusion of party primaries held on May 30, 2026.
According to him, the access codes will be distributed to designated national officers of political parties, who will be responsible for uploading the names, biodata, and other required particulars of nominated candidates through the commission’s online Candidate Nomination Portal.
Amupitan urged political parties to adequately prepare their ICT personnel and relevant officials for the exercise, warning that the nomination process would be strictly guided by established deadlines.
He emphasized that the portal is fully automated and will automatically shut down once the submission period expires, making timely compliance essential.
The INEC chairman also expressed concern over lingering court cases involving internal leadership disputes within some political parties, describing them as avoidable distractions that could affect preparations for the 2027 elections.
He called on political actors to resolve such disputes promptly in the interest of a smooth electoral process.
Reaffirming the commission’s commitment to neutrality, Amupitan assured stakeholders that INEC would continue to perform its constitutional responsibilities impartially and in accordance with the Electoral Act and other relevant regulations.
He further encouraged political parties to intensify voter education campaigns and mobilise eligible citizens to participate in the Continuous Voter Registration exercise to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the polls.
The INEC chairman stressed that the success of the 2027 general election would depend not only on the commission’s preparedness but also on the willingness of political parties to uphold democratic values, conduct transparent primaries, reject violence, discourage vote buying, and promote issue-based campaigns.
He added that INEC would continue to provide a level playing field for all political parties while ensuring strict compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and electoral guidelines.
Despite pending appeals arising from two Federal High Court judgments affecting aspects of the electoral timetable, Amupitan maintained that preparations for the 2027 elections would continue in line with valid court directives and existing legal frameworks.
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