The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to upload lists of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates for the February 2027 general election.
Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said in a statement on 8 August 2026.
He said that the submission window—originally set to close on Saturday, 8 August—has been moved to Tuesday, 11 August.
According to him, the extension follows requests from political parties for additional time to complete the process.
In a related announcement, INEC said the window for voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to print downloadable copies will expire at midnight on Sunday, 9 August.
The commission said it needs the remaining time to compile data of downloaded PVCs for final statistics ahead of the 15 August Osun governorship election.
INEC noted that PVC collection in Osun State began at Registration Area level from 22 to 28 July and was extended to 31 July because of large crowds and difficulties at collection centres. Collection then proceeded at the local government area level from 1 to 7 August.
The commission added that replacement downloadable PVCs have been provided to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central local government areas whose cards were stolen during attacks on two collection centres, and reiterated that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
INEC reassured residents of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15 August 2026.
