As preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections gather momentum, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued access codes to nine registered political parties, enabling them to begin the process of uploading and managing the particulars of their candidates on the Commission’s dedicated nomination portal.
The development marks another significant step in the electoral timetable as political parties intensify internal consultations, membership registration, and preparations for primary elections that will determine their candidates for various elective positions.
The political parties that have received the access credentials are:
Accord (A)
Action Alliance (AA)
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
All Progressives Congress (APC)
Labour Party (LP)
National Democratic Congress (NDC)
National Democratic Party (NDP)
Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
Social Democratic Party (SDP)
The access codes grant authorized party officials secure entry into INEC’s Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP), an online platform used for submitting candidate information and other required documents in accordance with the Electoral Act and INEC’s regulations.
The portal is designed to improve transparency, accuracy, and efficiency in the candidate nomination process by replacing manual submissions with a secure digital system. Through the platform, political parties can upload candidates’ personal details, credentials, passport photographs, and other statutory documents required for participation in elections.
INEC has consistently emphasized that only duly authorized officials of registered political parties are permitted to access the portal using the unique credentials provided by the Commission. The electoral body also advises parties to safeguard their login details to prevent unauthorized access or alterations to candidate information.
Although the issuance of access codes does not amount to the formal nomination of candidates, it signals the commencement of the administrative processes that precede party primaries and official candidate submissions for the 2027 general elections.
Political observers believe the early deployment of the nomination portal will allow parties ample time to comply with electoral guidelines, reduce last-minute errors, and ensure smoother coordination between political parties and the electoral commission.
With the 2027 elections expected to feature intense political competition across the country, stakeholders will be closely monitoring INEC’s adherence to the electoral timetable and the readiness of political parties to comply with nomination requirements.
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The Commission is expected to continue engaging political parties and other stakeholders as additional milestones in the electoral calendar are reached.
