ABUJA — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially activated its candidate nomination portal, granting registered political parties access to the platform necessary for the formal submission of their flagbearers. The release of the required access codes, which took place on June 29, 2026, marks the transition from the internal party primary phase to the formal administrative verification stage overseen by the electoral umpire.
A Critical Step in the Electoral Timeline
The activation of the portal followed a brief, strategic delay. While the commission had initially targeted June 26 for the release of access codes, INEC postponed the commencement until June 29 to conduct final optimization tests on its technical infrastructure. This meticulous approach was designed to ensure that the portal—a centralized digital system for candidate biodata and regulatory form submission—could handle the high volume of traffic expected from dozens of political parties simultaneously uploading thousands of files.
This stage is vital, as it effectively closes the chapter on the post-primary phase, characterized by intense negotiations and, in several instances, legal disputes over ticket ownership. With access codes now in hand, the focus has shifted entirely to the rigorous documentation requirements mandated by the Electoral Act 2026.
Understanding the Submission Requirements
Political parties are now in a race against time to ensure that their candidates’ particulars are uploaded accurately. The submission process centers on the completion of several critical documents, most notably Form EC9 (Affidavit in Support of Personal Particulars) and various supplementary forms (EC9A-E).
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Form EC9: This is a comprehensive sworn affidavit where candidates provide detailed information, including personal data, educational qualifications, employment history, and declarations regarding any criminal convictions, bankruptcy, or membership in secret societies.
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Verification: These documents serve as the primary source of truth for the commission. Any inaccuracies or discrepancies found during the subsequent verification process can provide grounds for disqualification.
Major Parties: Preparations and Public Clarifications
As the July 11 deadline for National Assembly nominations and the August 8 deadline for Governorship and State House of Assembly nominations approach, major political parties have adopted distinct strategies to manage the submission process.
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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP):
The PDP has moved swiftly to finalize its submissions. The party leadership has already issued Certificates of Return to its successful candidates, accompanied by the necessary INEC forms. To maintain operational efficiency, the party has issued a 72-hour directive to all its candidates to complete their forms and return them for central upload. This disciplined approach is designed to prevent the last-minute technical bottlenecks that often plague portal submissions.
All Progressives Congress (APC):
Amid the heightened activity of the nomination phase, the APC has moved to combat the proliferation of misinformation. National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka issued a formal disclaimer warning the public against unauthorized lists of "successful candidates" circulating on social media. The party emphasized that no official list of winners has been released publicly and advised members, the media, and the electorate to disregard unofficial reports. Aspirants are being notified of their status exclusively through established internal channels to ensure integrity in the process.
The Stakes of Compliance: ICT Readiness and Deadlines
INEC has issued a stern warning to political parties regarding the non-negotiable nature of the submission deadlines. The commission has underscored that the onus is on the national leadership of each party to ensure their ICT personnel are fully prepared and that the data uploaded is flawless.
As the political landscape intensifies ahead of the 2027 polls, this digital submission phase is far more than a clerical exercise. It represents the formal gatekeeping mechanism of Nigeria’s democracy. The details uploaded over the coming days will be subject to intense public and legal scrutiny. For the electoral commission, the transition to a fully digital, portal-based submission system is a critical effort to enhance transparency, minimize human error, and establish a permanent, easily auditable record of all contestants for the 2027 general election.
The opening of the portal is a reminder that the 2027 election is rapidly approaching. As parties finalize their lists, the nation now enters a period where internal party struggles will be replaced by public scrutiny of the individuals who hope to lead Nigeria's executive and legislative branches.
As the deadline for candidate submissions approaches, which elective office are you following most closely in the upcoming 2027 general election? Share your thoughts below.
