INEC extends candidate submission deadline to August 11, suspends PVC collection in Osun State
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has extended the deadline for political parties to submit candidate lists for the 2027 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections from August 8 to August 11, 2026. This decision followed appeals from political parties for more time to complete submissions via the online portal. In a separate development, INEC has suspended Permanent Voter Card PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election. Voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged, or defaced PVCs have until midnight on August 9 to print downloadable copies. This deadline allows INEC to compile data on downloaded PVCs and finalize collection statistics. PVC collection in Osun began at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, and was extended to July 31 due to large crowds. It then moved to the local government level from August 1 to 7. INEC also confirmed that replacement downloadable PVCs are available for voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following card thefts during attacks on collection centers, emphasizing that stolen cards cannot be used to vote. The commission reassured Osun residents of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible, and inclusive governorship election on August 15, 2026.
