ABUJA — Nigeria’s electoral umpire has granted political parties additional time to submit candidate lists for the upcoming 2027 general elections, while issuing a final deadline for voters to secure digital identification cards ahead of a crucial governorship vote in the south-western state of Osun.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Saturday that the portal for parties to upload their nominees for governorship and state assembly races will now close on Tuesday, 11 August, extending the original deadline of 8 August.
The commission said the move followed widespread appeals from political organizations struggling to meet the initial schedule.
Final push for voter cards in Osun
The deadline extension comes as the electoral body prepares for the Osun State governorship election on 15 August, widely viewed as an important indicator of voter sentiment ahead of the 2027 nationwide polls. Voters seeking replacement voter cards — known locally as Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) — have until midnight on Sunday, 9 August, to download and print electronic copies. Electoral officials said the cutoff is necessary to finalize the voter register and compute exact distribution statistics before polling opens next week.In-person voter card collection in Osun has faced significant logistical hurdles in recent weeks, with large crowds and administrative delays prompting officials to extend distribution schedules across local government areas.
Stolen cards invalidated
The electoral commission also confirmed it had issued fresh downloadable cards to voters in the Odo-Otin and Ife Central areas after armed groups invaded local distribution centers and stole physical cards.
Dismissing concerns over potential fraud, INEC commissioner Mohammed Haruna reassured voters that the stolen cards had been deactivated on the system and could not be used on election day.”The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote,” Haruna said in a statement, adding that INEC remains fully prepared to deliver a “free, fair, credible, and inclusive” election in Osun next Saturday.
Add Comment