The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is facing disputes with political parties regarding access codes necessary for uploading candidates’ information to its portal as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
INEC had announced that the codes were distributed on Friday, yet multiple political parties, excluding the BOOT party, claimed they had not received them. The electoral body insisted that they had fulfilled their obligations, citing a training session held for party representatives earlier in the week.
The commission emphasized the importance of the July 11 deadline for submitting nominations for presidential and National Assembly candidates. An INEC source indicated that it was too early to judge compliance from the parties, asserting that support would be provided if challenges arise during the uploading process.
While INEC maintains that training was necessary prior to receiving the access codes, some political parties expressed frustration over the situation. Bolaji Abdullahi from the African Democratic Congress and Mohammed Ishaq from the Peoples Redemption Party reported that the codes had not been made available. Meanwhile, the New Nigeria Peoples Party confirmed that it received access codes for the Osun State election, but was uncertain about the status for the 2027 elections.
Other parties, such as the Labour Party and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, have also signaled issues in obtaining the necessary codes for nominations. The NDC has faced additional legal troubles, unfolding after a court ruling which ordered INEC not to recognize the party until certain legal matters are resolved.
In contrast, the BOOT party announced it has received the access code and plans to proceed with its candidate uploads soon. As political parties grapple with these challenges, the situation continues to evolve amid tight timelines.
