The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will issue official Access Codes to political parties on June 26, 2026, to enable them access the Candidate Nomination Portal ahead of the 2027 general election.
The move is expected to end concerns over delays by political parties in making public the names of candidates for various elective positions.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, disclosed this during the Commission’s 2nd Quarterly Consultative Meeting with leaders of the 22 registered political parties held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, on Monday.
Amupitan said the Commission would issue the Access Codes to all political parties on Friday, June 26, 2026, to enable designated national officers access the portal.
According to him, the portal will allow political parties to upload the names, personal particulars and other required information of nominated candidates for the 2027 general election.
He urged political parties to ensure their ICT teams and relevant officials are adequately prepared and complete all submissions within the stipulated timeline.
The INEC chairman warned that the Candidate Nomination Portal is fully automated and would shut down automatically once the submission window closes.
Amupitan also called on political parties to intensify voter mobilisation efforts by taking advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and encouraging eligible Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
He said: “As political parties with structures in every ward and community across the country, I urge you to intensify voter education and mobilisation efforts so that eligible citizens take advantage of this opportunity and subsequently collect their Permanent Voter Cards.
“Leaders of political parties, the credibility of elections depends on our collective commitment to the rule of law, democratic values and the integrity of the electoral process.
“On its part, the Commission remains independent and impartial in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities and firmly committed to ensuring that every valid vote counts and that the will of the Nigerian people is faithfully reflected in electoral outcomes.
We shall continue to provide a level playing field for all political parties and candidates, while ensuring strict adherence to the Constitution, the Electoral Act and all relevant guidelines.”
He added that the success of the 2027 general election would depend not only on the preparedness of the Commission but also on the willingness of political parties to uphold democratic principles, respect the rule of law, conduct transparent primaries, discourage violence, hate speech and vote-buying, and promote issue-based campaigns.
