INEC Extends 2027 Candidate List Submission Deadline to August 11

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to upload candidate lists for the 2027 general elections. Announced on August 9, 2026, the new submission window moves the closing date from August 8 to August 11, 2026, following mounting requests from political organizations.

Political parties racing to finalize their rosters for the upcoming general elections have been granted a brief reprieve. The Independent National Electoral Commission announced the extension in an official statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, and published on its official X handle.

Extended Window for 2027 Candidate Uploads

The adjustment directly affects political parties preparing documentation for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections. Parties now have until Tuesday, August 11, 2026, to complete their uploads on the dedicated portal.

The commission confirmed that the schedule change stems from growing appeals by political parties seeking additional time to complete the process through the dedicated online portal. The revised timeline applies specifically to the races scheduled for the February 2027 General Election.

In a statement on Saturday, Mohammed Kudu Haruna made the timeline adjustments known, stating: “INEC wishes to inform political parties and the public that it has approved an extension of the deadline for the submission (upload on the dedicated portal) of the list of candidates for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections for the February 2027 General Election. The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close, Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026.”

Voter Card Replacement and Osun State Preparations

INEC also announced the expiration of the deadline for voters who applied for the replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to print downloadable copies of their cards. The commission said the window would close at midnight on Sunday, August 9, 2026.

The commission explained that this deadline was necessary to enable it to compile data on downloaded PVCs and establish the final statistics of PVCs collected ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

Collection logistics in Osun State have moved through several distinct phases. INEC recalled that the collection of PVCs in Osun State began at the Registration Area (RA) level from July 22 to 28, 2026. The commission said the exercise was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties encountered by voters at some collection centres. The exercise subsequently moved to the Local Government Area (LGA) level, where it ran from August 1 to 7, 2026.

Security Measures for Stolen Voter Cards

INEC further disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas whose cards were reportedly carted away by hoodlums who invaded the two collection centres.

The commission, however, reiterated that the stolen PVCs could not be used to vote.

With candidate portal uploads now stretching to August 11 and ongoing administrative adjustments concluding, the commission assured residents of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on August 15, 2026.