INEC to open 2027 candidate nomination portal, release access codes June 26

By Taiwo Scholarstica

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that political parties will receive access codes to its Candidate Nomination Portal on June 26, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the announcement on Tuesday during a meeting with leaders of registered political parties in Abuja.

He said the access codes would allow authorised officials of political parties to upload the names and personal details of their candidates for the 2027 elections through the commission’s online portal.

According to Amupitan, the move follows the completion of party primaries on May 30, 2026.

He urged political parties to ensure that their ICT personnel and other relevant officials are fully prepared for the exercise, warning that the portal is automated and will close automatically once the submission deadline is reached.

The INEC chairman also expressed concern over ongoing court cases involving leadership disputes in some political parties. He said such issues could affect preparations for the elections and called on political actors to resolve them quickly.

Amupitan assured parties that INEC would continue to carry out its responsibilities fairly and in line with the Constitution and Electoral Act.

He also encouraged political parties to step up voter education and mobilise eligible Nigerians to participate in the Continuous Voter Registration exercise and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the elections.

According to him, the success of the 2027 general elections will depend not only on INEC’s preparedness but also on the commitment of political parties to conduct peaceful and transparent campaigns, respect the law, and discourage violence, hate speech and vote-buying.

He added that despite pending court appeals affecting parts of the electoral timetable, INEC would continue its preparations for the 2027 elections as scheduled.