INEC Releases Access Codes for Parties to Upload 2027 Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released access codes to political parties, allowing them to begin uploading the names and personal details of their nominated candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The access codes were issued on Monday, June 29, after a three-day delay from the Commission’s initial schedule. The Candidate Nomination Portal, which opened on June 27, will remain accessible until July 11, 2026, for the submission of presidential and National Assembly candidates.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the codes would enable designated party officials to upload candidates’ information through the Commission’s fully automated portal.

“These access codes will enable designated national officers of political parties to upload the names, personal particulars and other required information relating to nominated candidates. The portal is fully automated and will close automatically at the expiration of the prescribed period,” he said.

The exercise has, however, sparked complaints from parties including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), which claimed they had not received the access codes.

Reacting, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, insisted only party officials who participated in the Commission’s training were eligible to receive the codes.

The nomination process has also been affected by internal leadership disputes within the PDP and ADC, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) said it could not access the portal following a Federal High Court order directing its deregistration.

Under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, political parties must submit the names of their candidates at least 120 days before the general election.