By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to enter a critical stage of preparations for the 2027 general elections as it officially opens its automated Candidate Nomination Portal to political parties on Friday, June 26, 2026.
The move marks a significant milestone in the electoral calendar and is expected to address lingering uncertainties surrounding party candidates following the conclusion of primary elections across the country.
Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed that official access codes to the portal would be distributed to all registered political parties on Friday. The digital platform will serve as the sole channel through which parties can submit the names, credentials and personal particulars of their nominated candidates.
Prof. Amupitan stressed that the nomination process is fully automated and warned that there would be no extension of deadlines. According to him, the portal is programmed to shut down automatically once the submission period expires.
He urged political parties to ensure that their ICT personnel and relevant officers are adequately prepared and that all submissions are completed well before the stipulated deadlines.
The opening of the portal comes amid ongoing disputes arising from recent party primaries in several parts of the country. While some political parties, including the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have already announced their candidates, other contests, particularly for the House of Representatives and State Assembly seats, remain entangled in internal disagreements.
INEC believes that the transition to the official nomination portal will provide a structured framework for finalising candidate lists and enhance transparency and administrative efficiency in the electoral process.
With the portal now open, political parties face mounting pressure to conclude all internal processes and ensure that the necessary documentation is ready for digital submission.
The commission has repeatedly emphasised that the credibility of the 2027 general elections depends largely on the integrity of the nomination phase and has urged political parties to comply strictly with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, to avoid technical disqualifications and administrative setbacks.