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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit their candidates’ details for the February 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
The deadline, which was originally set for Saturday, August 8, 2026, has now been moved to Tuesday, August 11.
Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, announced the extension in a statement on Sunday.
According to Haruna, the extension followed appeals from political parties for more time to complete the candidate-submission process.
“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,” he said.
He said the extension applies to the submission and upload of candidates’ lists on INEC’s dedicated portal.
In a related development, INEC said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to download printable copies of their cards.
The commission said the deadline would enable it to compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on PVC collection ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
INEC said PVC collection in Osun began at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28 but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties at collection centres.
The collection was subsequently moved to the local government level from August 1 to 7.
The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central local government areas following the theft of cards during separate invasions of two collection centres.
INEC, however, assured affected voters that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.
The commission assured Osun residents that it remained prepared to conduct the governorship election scheduled for August 15.
“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 statement said.
PRESS RELEASE
EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF LIST OF GOVERNORSHIP/STATE HOUSES OF ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES AND SUSPENSION OF PVC COLLECTION IN OSUN STATE
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wishes to inform political parties and the public that it has… pic.twitter.com/tE18HRn97v
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) August 9, 2026
