INEC extends deadline for submission of governorship, States Assemblies’ candidates’ lists

By Lateef Ibrahim

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has approved an extension of the deadline for the submission (upload on the dedicated portal) of the list of candidates for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections for the February 2027 General Election.

The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election, which was originally scheduled to close, Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026.

The extension, the commission pointed out, follows growing appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the process.

The extension was confirmed in a statement on saturday by Mohammed Kudu Haruna,

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee.

The statement reads, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wishes to inform political parties and the public that it has approved an extension of the deadline for the submission (upload on the dedicated portal) of the list of candidates for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections for the February 2027 General Election.

“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close, Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026.

“The extension follows growing appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the process.

“In a related development, the Commission wishes to notify voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced PVCs, that the window to print downloadable copies of their cards will expire by midnight of Sunday 9th August, 2026.

“This is to allow the Commission compile the data of downloaded PVCs for final statistics of total PVCs collected ahead of the August 15th Osun Governorship Election.

“It will be recalled that collection of PVCs in Osun State commenced at Registration Area (RA) level from 22nd to 28th July, 2026.

“Owing to complaints of large crowds and difficulties encountered by voters at collection centres, the Commission approved an extension of RA-level collection to 31st July, 2026, before collection moved to LGA level, running from 1st to 7th August, 2026.

“The Commission also wishes to state that replacement Downloadable PVCs have been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central local government areas whose cards were carted away by hoodlums who invaded the two centres.

“The Commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.

“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026.”