By Precious Mark
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 final date for submissions, which was initially set for Saturday, July 11, 2026, under the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities, has now been extended to midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
This was contained in a press statement released on Sunday, by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
According to the commission, the decision to adjust the timeline followed an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the umbrella body representing political parties. The council had intervened on behalf of various platforms that encountered challenges uploading the names and personal particulars of their candidates within the original schedule.
INEC stated that the gesture underscores its operational commitment to ensuring inclusivity in its electoral processes while remaining firmly within the ambit of the law.
The electoral umpire, however, enjoined all political parties to maximize the window of opportunity provided by the shift to ensure all necessary data is fully uploaded before the expiration of the new deadline.