INEC, Political Parties Disagree Over Candidate Upload Access Codes

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and several political parties have disagreed over the availability of access codes required for uploading candidates’ nomination forms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While INEC insisted that the access codes had been released as scheduled and that training had already been conducted for political parties on their use, many parties maintained they were yet to receive the codes needed to access the commission’s online nomination portal.

According to INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 elections, political parties have until July 11, 2026, to upload nomination forms for presidential and National Assembly candidates, while submissions for governorship and State House of Assembly candidates will run from July 18 to August 8, 2026.

An official of the commission said representatives of political parties underwent training on the operation of the portal on Thursday and Friday, adding that technical support remained available throughout the nomination period.

The official dismissed concerns over possible delays, stressing that parties still had sufficient time to complete the exercise before the deadline.

INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, also rejected claims that access codes had not been released. She explained that parties were expected to participate in the training before receiving the codes and advised those yet to obtain them to wait until Monday before raising complaints.

Under the electoral timetable, the online submission window for Forms EC9 and related nomination documents opened on June 27, in line with the Electoral Act, 2026, which requires political parties to submit candidates’ nominations at least 120 days before the elections.

Despite the commission’s assurances, several political parties insisted they had not received the access credentials.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) said INEC had informed them that the codes would be made available once the process was completed.

The Labour Party (LP) also said it was still awaiting the codes. A senior party official disclosed that although nomination forms had already been distributed to aspirants, the party could not upload candidates’ details until INEC provided access to the portal.

Similarly, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) said it had formally requested the access code but had yet to receive any response from the commission.

The development comes amid fresh legal challenges confronting the NDC after a Federal High Court in Lokoja ordered INEC not to recognise the party pending the determination of ownership disputes over its registration and logo. The party has appealed the ruling and expressed confidence that its candidates, including its presidential standard-bearer, would remain in the race.

Meanwhile, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) confirmed that INEC had begun issuing access codes for the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, although it could not immediately verify whether the same process had commenced for the 2027 general elections.

The party nevertheless commended INEC, noting that the commission had been burdened by multiple off-season elections, bye-elections and numerous court cases arising from internal disputes within political parties.

In contrast, the Because Of Our Tomorrow (BOOT) Party disclosed that it had already been notified by INEC that its access code was ready for collection and would obtain it early this week.

The disagreement over the availability of the access codes comes as rival factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) continue efforts to secure recognition from INEC to upload their respective candidates on the commission’s nomination portal ahead of the 2027 elections.