The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the names of their candidates for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
The commission announced the extension on Saturday, moving the deadline from August 8 to August 11, 2026, following requests from political parties for additional time to complete the process.
The National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to the commission, political parties had appealed for more time to finalise the submission of their candidates through INEC’s dedicated online portal.
INEC said the submission window, which was originally scheduled to close on Saturday under its revised timetable, would now remain open until Tuesday, August 11.
The extension gives political parties three additional days to resolve outstanding issues and complete the nomination process ahead of the 2027 elections.
INEC Suspends PVC Collection In Osun
Meanwhile, INEC has announced the suspension of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced PVCs would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to download and print replacement copies.
INEC explained that the deadline would enable it to compile the number of downloadable PVCs and determine the final figure of voters who collected their cards before the election.
The commission said the physical PVC collection exercise had initially taken place at Registration Area centres between July 22 and 28.
The exercise was subsequently extended to July 31 after complaints emerged over overcrowding and difficulties experienced by voters at some collection centres.
The collection was later moved to local government offices, where it continued from August 1 to 7.
Replacement Cards Issued After PVC Theft
INEC also disclosed that downloadable replacement PVCs had been provided for affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas.
The development followed incidents in which PVCs were reportedly stolen during attacks on collection centres in the two local government areas.
The electoral commission, however, sought to reassure voters that the stolen cards could not be used to cast ballots.
“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote,” INEC said.
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The clarification is aimed at addressing concerns over whether the stolen cards could be used by individuals seeking to compromise the electoral process.
INEC Assures Osun Voters
With the governorship election only days away, the commission said it had put the necessary arrangements in place for the conduct of the poll.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a credible election and urged residents to remain confident in the electoral process.
“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the commission stated.
The Osun poll is expected to be closely contested, with major political parties intensifying their campaigns and mobilisation efforts ahead of election day.