• Releases 2027 election timetable
• As Nigerians await amendment of Electoral Act
By Muyiwa Onyilola
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has formally set the stage for the 2027 general elections, announcing February 20, 2027 for the Presidential and National Assembly polls, and March 6, 2027 for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
Chairman of the commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed the timetable on Friday at a press conference in Abuja, affirming that the notice of election had been issued in line with constitutional and statutory requirements.
According to the schedule, party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising therefrom, will commence on May 22, 2026 and conclude on June 20, 2026. Political parties are to submit nomination forms for national elections via INEC’s online portal between July 14 and July 28, 2026. For state elections, submission of nomination forms will run from August 11 to August 25, 2026, with access codes to be issued at the commission’s headquarters on July 13.
The commission fixed August 4, 2026 for the publication of personal particulars of candidates for presidential and National Assembly elections, while those for governorship and state assembly polls will be published on September 1. The final list of nominated candidates for national elections will be released on August 15, and October 6 for state elections.
Public campaigns for the federal elections will begin on September 23, 2026 and end on February 18, 2027. Campaigns for governorship and state assembly polls will commence on October 7, 2026 and conclude on March 4, 2027. The official register of voters will be published on January 11, 2027, while the notice of poll is scheduled for January 21.
Prof. Amupitan explained that the timetable was issued pursuant to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the commission to publish a notice of election not later than 360 days before the date appointed for the polls.
He noted that although the Electoral Amendment Bill is still before the National Assembly, INEC proceeded with the timetable to avert uncertainty and logistical setbacks. However, he conceded that aspects of the schedule could be adjusted depending on the eventual amendments to the law.
Under the Constitution, the tenure of the President, Vice-President and most state governors will expire on May 28, 2027, while the National and State Houses of Assembly will stand dissolved on June 8, 2027.
The INEC chairman urged political parties to adhere strictly to the timelines and conduct peaceful, credible primaries, warning that the commission would enforce compliance. He reiterated INEC’s commitment to transparency, professionalism and the deepening of technology in the electoral process.
As Nigerians await possible amendments to the Electoral Act, the commission’s early release of the timetable signals its determination to deliver what it described as a pivotal and credible 2027 electoral cycle.
