INEC Clashes With Parties Over Codes For Candidate Portal

INEC Clashes With Parties Over Codes For Candidate Portal

The Independent National Electoral Commission and several political parties have disagreed over the release of access codes needed to upload candidates for the 2027 general elections.

While INEC insisted the codes had been made available after training party representatives, many parties said they were still waiting.

The disagreement comes as the July 11 deadline for presidential and National Assembly nominations draws closer.

INEC said it trained party officials on Thursday and Friday to guide them on using the online nomination portal.

The commission maintained that support staff were available to assist parties facing technical challenges and urged them to complete the process before the deadline. It also insisted claims that codes had not been released were inaccurate.

Several parties, including the ADC, PRP, Labour Party and NDC, said they had not received the access codes needed to upload candidates.

The NNPP confirmed it had only received codes for the Osun governorship election, while the BOOT Party said it had been notified that its code was ready for collection.

The NDC also linked its delay to its ongoing legal battle over its registration.

The disagreement has also complicated preparations for rival factions within the PDP and ADC, both seeking recognition to submit candidates.

Despite the concerns, INEC said the nomination timetable remains unchanged, with the portal closing on July 11 for presidential and National Assembly candidates, while governorship and state assembly nominations will begin later in July.