The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that nine registered political parties have collected official access codes to upload the particulars of their presidential and National Assembly candidates for the 2027 general elections, marking another key milestone in the country’s electoral timetable.
The access codes enable authorised national officers of the affected political parties to log into INEC’s Candidate Nomination Portal and submit the names, personal particulars and other required documents of candidates nominated through their respective party primaries.
The portal is fully automated and is expected to close automatically at the expiration of the submission period in line with the commission’s timetable.
INEC had earlier announced that access codes would be issued to all registered political parties after the conclusion of party primaries.
However, following an adjustment to its schedule, the commission released the credentials on June 29, paving the way for the nomination process to commence.
The latest development follows earlier concerns and conflicting reports over whether some parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), had been denied access to the nomination portal.
INEC officials have dismissed the claims, maintaining that all eligible parties are treated fairly and that the NDC was among those that received the required access credentials.
The commission has repeatedly urged political parties to complete the upload of candidates’ details before the deadline, warning that the electronic portal will not accept submissions after it closes.
It also advised parties to ensure that only duly authorised officials handle the nomination process to avoid administrative errors.
The commencement of candidate uploads signals the transition from party primaries to the formal nomination stage, bringing Nigeria a step closer to the 2027 general elections, during which voters will elect a president as well as members of the Senate and House of Representatives.
