The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has extended the deadline for political parties to submit their candidates for the 2027 governorship and state House of Assembly elections from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The commission announced the extension on Saturday after several political parties requested more time to complete the submission of their candidates through INEC’s online platform.
The decision gives parties an additional three days to finalise their submissions and correct any outstanding issues before the new deadline.
INEC said the original timetable had fixed August 8 as the closing date for candidate submissions, but the commission agreed to extend the period following requests from political parties.
The electoral body also announced a separate adjustment concerning Permanent Voter Cards in Osun State ahead of the governorship election scheduled for August 15.
According to the commission, the collection of PVCs in the state has been suspended, while voters who applied for replacement cards because their original cards were lost, damaged or defaced have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable versions of their cards.
INEC explained that the additional period would allow it to gather information on voters who had downloaded replacement PVCs and prepare accurate figures before the election.
PVC collection in Osun initially took place at Registration Area centres between July 22 and 28. The exercise was later extended to July 31 after voters complained about large crowds and difficulties at some collection locations.
The process was subsequently moved to the local government level and continued from August 1 to 7.
The commission also disclosed that downloadable replacement PVCs had been provided for affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas.
The move followed the theft of voter cards during attacks on collection centres in the two local government areas.
INEC said the stolen cards cannot be used to cast votes, assuring residents that measures were in place to protect the integrity of the election.
The commission further assured voters in Osun State that preparations for the August 15 governorship poll were progressing as planned.
The electoral body said it remained committed to conducting an election that would be free, fair and credible, while also ensuring that eligible voters are able to participate.
The extension of the 2027 candidate submission deadline means political parties now have until August 11 to complete the process, while INEC continues preparations for upcoming electoral activities across the country.