INEC Extends Candidate Submission Deadline to July 14, 2026

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved an extension of the deadline for political parties to submit their lists of candidates for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections. The new deadline is set for midnight on July 14, 2026, having been originally scheduled for July 11, 2026.

INEC's decision to extend the deadline was based on appeals from the Inter-Party Advisory Council, which represented political parties that were unable to upload their candidates' names within the initial timeline. Mohammed Haruna, the Chairman of INEC's voter education committee, emphasized the commission's commitment to ensuring inclusivity while acting within the legal framework.

Felix Morka, the APC's National Publicity Secretary, stated that the extension highlights the opposition parties' lack of preparedness for the elections, raising questions about their operational capacity. The APC successfully met the original deadline, while the opposition parties failed to manage their internal nomination processes effectively.