INEC will grant political parties access to its Candidate Nomination Portal on June 26, boosting transparency and preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
As preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 General Election gather momentum, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled a major step aimed at improving the electoral process.
The electoral body announced that registered political parties will receive official access credentials to the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal on June 26, 2026, enabling them to begin uploading details of candidates seeking elective offices across the country.
The announcement was made by INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), during the Commission’s Second Quarterly Consultative Meeting with leaders of the 22 registered political parties in Abuja.
According to him, the move forms part of broader efforts to modernize election administration, enhance transparency, and eliminate avoidable delays associated with candidate nominations.
The INEC Candidate Nomination Portal is expected to serve as the official digital platform through which political parties will submit names of candidates, personal particulars, nomination documents, and other statutory requirements ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Commission believes the system will strengthen efficiency while ensuring that all political parties operate under the same rules and deadlines.
Professor Amupitan explained that designated national officers of political parties would receive secure login details that grant access to the portal.
Once activated, parties will be responsible for ensuring that all required information is uploaded correctly and within the stipulated timeline.
He stressed that political parties must begin preparing their information technology teams and administrative personnel ahead of the portal’s activation.
According to him, the nomination system has been programmed to operate automatically, meaning it will shut down immediately after the submission deadline expires.
The INEC chairman warned that the Commission would not entertain requests for extensions once the portal closes. He therefore urged political parties to avoid last-minute submissions that could result in technical challenges or incomplete documentation.
Speaking further, Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting transparent and credible elections.
He noted that the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal was designed to create a level playing field for all political parties while improving accountability in the nomination process.
Beyond candidate nominations, the Commission also used the meeting to emphasize the importance of voter participation.
INEC called on political parties to intensify voter mobilization campaigns and encourage eligible Nigerians to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
According to the Commission, political parties remain critical stakeholders in the democratic process and have a responsibility to educate citizens on the importance of participating in elections.
Amupitan stated that increased voter awareness would contribute significantly to the credibility and legitimacy of future elections.
The INEC chairman also addressed recent legal developments affecting preparations for the 2027 General Election.
He disclosed that the Commission has appealed several judgments delivered by the Federal High Court concerning aspects of its timetable and electoral schedule.
According to him, the varying interpretations emerging from different court decisions have created uncertainty regarding INEC’s constitutional powers to regulate election timelines and candidate nomination procedures.
He explained that the Commission approached the appellate courts to obtain legal clarity and ensure that preparations for the elections proceed without confusion.
Amupitan maintained that election activities are interconnected and require proper coordination to guarantee transparency, fairness, and administrative efficiency.
He argued that a clearly defined legal framework is necessary for effective election management and equal treatment of all political parties.
Another issue raised during the consultative meeting was the growing number of leadership disputes within political parties.
The Commission expressed concern over the increasing volume of court cases stemming from internal party conflicts, warning that such disagreements could distract stakeholders from crucial election preparations.
INEC urged political parties to resolve their leadership challenges through established internal mechanisms and lawful processes.
The Commission noted that prolonged disputes often consume valuable time and resources that could otherwise be directed toward strengthening democratic participation and election readiness.
Meanwhile, preparations for upcoming elections remain a priority for the electoral body. Professor Amupitan disclosed that INEC has recorded significant progress in planning for the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026.
He revealed that major aspects of the preparations, including logistics, deployment of election technology, training of electoral personnel, and stakeholder engagement, have advanced considerably.
The Commission expressed confidence in its ability to conduct a smooth and credible election in the state.
INEC also announced that several bye-elections would take place on the same day as the Ekiti governorship poll. The affected areas include Enugu North, Nasarawa North, Rivers South East, and Ondo South Senatorial Districts.
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Additional elections will also be conducted in the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency of Kano State and the Zuru State Constituency in Kebbi State.
Looking beyond June, the Commission has already turned its attention to the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026. Political parties were advised to comply strictly with all electoral guidelines, deadlines, and legal requirements to avoid sanctions or disqualification.
The introduction of the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal represents another milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing electoral reforms.
By leveraging technology to manage candidate submissions, the Commission hopes to minimize human errors, improve transparency, and build greater public confidence in the electoral process.
As the countdown to the 2027 General Election continues, stakeholders will be closely watching how effectively the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal performs.
For political parties, the platform offers both an opportunity and a responsibility to ensure timely and accurate candidate submissions, while for INEC, it serves as a crucial tool in its mission to deliver free, fair, and credible elections across Nigeria.