INEC To Issue Portal Codes June 26, Warns On Party Disputes

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will issue official access codes to political parties on June 26, 2026, to enable them access the Candidate Nomination Portal ahead of the 2027 general election.

The Commission said the move is expected to improve the candidate nomination process and reduce delays in the submission of names for elective positions.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), disclosed this during the Commission’s Second Quarterly Consultative Meeting with leaders of the 22 registered political parties held in Abuja.

According to him, designated national officers of political parties will use the access credentials to upload names of candidates, personal particulars and other required documents through the portal.

Amupitan urged political parties to prepare their ICT teams and ensure all submissions are completed within the approved timeline, warning that the portal is fully automated and will close automatically at the expiration of the submission period.

“The Commission remains committed to ensuring a transparent nomination process and providing a level playing field for all political parties. We urge parties to take advantage of the nomination portal and comply with the timelines provided,” Amupitan said.

The INEC chairman also called on political parties to strengthen voter mobilisation efforts by encouraging eligible Nigerians to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise and collect their Permanent Voter Cards.

He said political parties have a major role to play in voter education and participation ahead of the 2027 elections.

On legal developments affecting election preparations, Amupitan disclosed that INEC has appealed recent Federal High Court judgments relating to aspects of its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election.

According to him, the differing court decisions have raised important questions regarding the Commission’s constitutional authority to regulate timelines for electoral activities and candidate nominations.

He explained that INEC approached the appellate courts to obtain legal clarity and ensure certainty in preparations for the polls.

The Commission maintained that election activities remain interconnected processes requiring coordinated scheduling to guarantee transparency, administrative efficiency and equal treatment of all political parties.

Amupitan further expressed concern over the increasing number of court cases arising from leadership disputes within political parties, describing the development as an unnecessary distraction capable of affecting preparations ahead of future elections.

“Political parties must resolve their internal leadership issues promptly. We consider these disputes unnecessary distractions and hope they are resolved without further delay in the interest of Nigeria’s democracy and electoral stability,” he said.

Speaking on preparations for the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026, Amupitan said the Commission had made significant progress in logistics, deployment of election technology, training of personnel and stakeholder engagement.

INEC also announced that bye-elections would hold the same day in Enugu North, Nasarawa North, Rivers South East and Ondo South Senatorial Districts, as well as Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in Kano State and Zuru State Constituency in Kebbi State.

Looking ahead to the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026, the Commission urged political parties to comply strictly with electoral guidelines and timelines.