INEC REVISES 2027 GENERAL ELECTION TIMETABLE

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has approved a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election following the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The commission had earlier fixed February 20, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, and March 6, 2027, for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls under the repealed Electoral Act, 2022.

However, in a statement issued on Thursday by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC said the repeal of the 2022 Act and the introduction of the Electoral Act, 2026 necessitated adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities.

Haruna said the commission reviewed and realigned the schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework. According to him, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections have been rescheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
He added that party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will commence on April 23, 2026, and end on May 30, 2026. Haruna stated that campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state Assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026.

“As provided by law, campaigns shall end 24 hours before Election Day. Political parties are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these timelines. The Commission will enforce compliance with the law,” he said.

The commission also announced that the Osun State governorship election earlier scheduled for August 8, 2026, has been shifted to August 15, 2026.
Haruna noted that while some activities relating to the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections had already been conducted, the remaining processes would be carried out in line with the Electoral Act, 2026.

He said the revised dates are consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Electoral Act, 2026.
The commission urged stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.