By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that nine registered political parties have collected access codes to upload their presidential and National Assembly candidates for the 2027 general elections. INEC National Commissioner for Voter Education and Publicity, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while urging political parties to complete the online nomination process before the July 11 deadline to avoid last-minute challenges.
Nine Political Parties Receive INEC Access Codes
Haruna said the political parties that have collected the access codes are:
- Accord (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)
- Social Democratic Party (SDP)
According to him, the figure reflected the status as of the close of work on Monday.
INEC Warns Against Last-Minute Submissions
Haruna advised political parties not to delay the submission of their candidates’ nomination forms.
He stressed that INEC had already extended the submission deadline from the close of business to midnight on the final day. However, he warned that parties that wait until the deadline risk facing avoidable technical or procedural difficulties.
“INEC has been generous by extending the deadline from the close of work to midnight of the deadline date. If any political party decides to wait until the deadline, INEC cannot be blamed for that,” Haruna said.
Parties Must Follow Nomination Guidelines
Haruna explained that INEC had already issued detailed guidelines for candidate nominations. In addition, the commission trained political party officials on how to use the candidate nomination portal.
He urged all parties to comply strictly with the established procedures to ensure a smooth nomination process.
Parties Must Request Access Codes
The national commissioner clarified that political parties must approach INEC to obtain their access codes.
He explained that the commission would not deliver the codes to party headquarters.
Furthermore, anyone collecting an access code on behalf of a political party must present an authorisation letter signed by the party leadership.
INEC Nomination Timetable for 2027 Elections
According to the INEC timetable for the 2027 general elections, political parties will submit nomination forms for presidential and National Assembly candidates between June 27 and July 11 through the commission’s designated candidate nomination portal.
Meanwhile, the submission of nomination forms for governorship and State House of Assembly candidates will take place from July 18 to August 8.
INEC encouraged all political parties to complete the process early and comply fully with its guidelines to avoid unnecessary delays.
