INEC Unveils Timeline for 2027 Candidate Nomination Process
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will issue official access codes to all registered political parties on Friday, June 26, 2026, enabling them to access its Candidate Nomination Portal ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Prof. Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the Commission’s second quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties. He explained that the access codes will allow authorised national officers of political parties to upload the names, biodata, and other required details of their nominated candidates through the digital platform. According to him, the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen transparency, improve efficiency, and ensure proper coordination in the candidate nomination process ahead of the elections. Amupitan also provided an update on preparations for the upcoming Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026, noting that the Commission is fully prepared for the exercise. He said INEC recently conducted a field assessment in Ekiti State to evaluate readiness for the poll, adding that logistics, election technology deployment, staff training, and stakeholder engagements are all progressing as planned. The INEC Chairman disclosed that Ekiti State has a total of 1,059,360 registered voters for the election, following updates from the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, which added 66,664 new voters to the existing register. He added that 2,103 double registrations were identified and removed to maintain the integrity of the voter register. Amupitan assured that all 2,445 polling units across the 16 local government areas of the state will open simultaneously at 8:30 a.m. on election day. He also addressed recent court rulings affecting the Commission’s timetable for the 2027 general elections, noting that INEC has carefully reviewed the judgments delivered by the Federal High Court in separate cases involving political parties. While acknowledging the decisions, he said the rulings raised important legal questions regarding the Commission’s authority to set timelines for certain electoral activities. He explained that INEC has filed appeals in order to obtain clearer judicial interpretation, stressing that consistency and legal certainty are necessary for effective election planning.
According to him, electoral activities are interconnected processes that require proper scheduling to avoid confusion and ensure smooth implementation. Amupitan listed several key activities that depend on coordinated timelines, including party membership verification, monitoring of primaries, nomination procedures, and the production of ballot materials. He added that the absence of clear timelines for such processes could create uncertainty and disrupt the electoral system. Despite ongoing legal proceedings, he reassured political parties and Nigerians that INEC remains committed to conducting the 2027 elections in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and all valid court rulings. He urged political parties to ensure their ICT and election officers are fully prepared for the upcoming nomination process, noting that the portal will automatically close after the deadline. Also speaking at the meeting, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, stressed the importance of internal democracy within political parties, describing it as the foundation of credible elections. He noted that strengthening party structures and nomination processes is essential for improving electoral integrity and deepening democratic governance in Nigeria.
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