INEC Opens 2027 Candidate Portal as Nine Political Parties Begin Nomination Process

Preparations for Nigeria's 2027 general elections have entered another important phase as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed that nine registered political parties have collected access codes required to upload the particulars of their candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections.

The development marks the official commencement of the candidate nomination process through INEC's online nomination portal, a critical stage in the country's electoral timetable. According to the commission, political parties are expected to use the secure portal to submit the names and personal details of their nominated candidates within the approved deadline.

INEC National Commissioner for Voter Education and Publicity, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed that as of the close of work on Monday, nine political parties had collected the required access codes. They include the Accord Party (A), Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), National Democratic Party (NDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Haruna explained that political parties are responsible for requesting the access codes from the commission, stressing that INEC does not distribute them automatically. He added that only individuals authorised by their respective party leadership can obtain the codes after presenting an official letter of authorisation.

The electoral commission also urged parties not to delay the submission of candidates' information until the final day. While INEC has extended the submission deadline to midnight on the closing date to accommodate parties, Haruna warned that any last-minute technical or administrative challenges arising from delayed submissions would be the responsibility of the affected political parties.

Under the 2027 election timetable, political parties have from June 27 to July 11 to upload the nomination forms and particulars of their presidential and National Assembly candidates through the commission's online portal. The submission window for governorship and State House of Assembly candidates will open from July 18 and close on August 8.

The electronic nomination portal forms a vital part of Nigeria's electoral process, ensuring that candidates' information is submitted digitally and within legally prescribed timelines. INEC has already trained party officials responsible for handling the portal and advised them to comply fully with the commission's nomination guidelines.

With the nomination process now underway, attention will gradually shift from party primaries to the formal confirmation of candidates who will eventually appear on the ballot for the 2027 general elections. For political parties, meeting INEC's deadlines and complying with electoral regulations will be essential as preparations for the nationwide polls continue.