RismadarVoice Reporters
October 7, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will publish the final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this as the commission provided updates on preparations for the 2027 general elections.
According to the commission, 21 of Nigeria’s 22 registered political parties nominated candidates for the state-level elections, producing 936 governorship and deputy governorship candidates and 9,692 State House of Assembly candidates.
INEC had earlier published the personal particulars of candidates submitted by political parties. The October 10 publication will represent the final candidate list following the nomination, withdrawal and substitution processes.
The commission said it received 112 complaints from aspirants, candidates and political parties over issues arising from the nomination process, including alleged unlawful withdrawal and substitution of candidates, errors in submitted information and other legal disputes.
INEC said most of the complaints had been investigated and resolved, except matters still pending before the courts.
For the presidential election, 18 of the 22 registered political parties submitted presidential and vice-presidential candidates, while the final list of National Assembly candidates was published on September 12.
The commission also disclosed that 10,772,421 new voters were recorded during three phases of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, taking Nigeria’s voter register above 103 million following verification and biometric clean-up.
INEC said the updated register would be displayed for public scrutiny from October 9 to October 15, while distribution of Phase One Permanent Voter Cards at Local Government centres would begin on October 9.
The commission is also strengthening its election technology ahead of the polls, including preparations involving Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices and electronic management of election processes.
Under the revised electoral timetable, the Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
INEC has reiterated its commitment to neutrality, operational preparedness and the integrity of the electoral process as preparations for the elections intensify.
