The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the names of their governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates for the February 2027 General Election.

In an announcement published on its official Facebook page on Saturday, August 8, 2026, the Commission said the deadline, initially scheduled to close on August 8, has now been extended to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

INEC explained that the extension followed appeals from political parties seeking additional time to complete the uploading of their candidates’ details on the Commission’s dedicated portal.

The electoral body also announced the suspension of Permanent Voter Card collection activities in Osun State as preparations intensify for the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

According to INEC, voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced PVCs have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their replacement cards.

The Commission said the deadline would enable it to compile final data on downloaded PVCs and determine the total number of cards collected ahead of the Osun governorship poll.

INEC recalled that PVC collection in Osun State began at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28. Following complaints over large crowds and difficulties encountered by voters at some collection centres, the exercise was extended to July 31 before moving to the Local Government Area level from August 1 to 7.

The Commission further disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central local government areas, where hoodlums reportedly invaded collection centres and carted away some voter cards.

INEC assured voters that the stolen PVCs would not be usable for voting.

The Commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct what it described as a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election in Osun State on August 15, 2026.

The statement was signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee.