INEC Revises 2027 Election Timetable, Moves Polls to January, February

The Independent National Electoral Commission has revised the timetable for the 2027 general election, rescheduling the presidential and National Assembly polls to January, while governorship and state assembly elections will now hold in February.

According to the new schedule, the presidential and National Assembly election will take place on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state assembly election is fixed for Saturday, February 6, 2027.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Haruna, said the commission approved the revised timetable following changes in the electoral law.

INEC had earlier scheduled February 20, 2027 for the presidential and National Assembly elections and March 6, 2027 for governorship and state assembly polls under the Electoral Act, 2022.

However, the commission explained that the repeal of the 2022 Act and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines, necessitated a review of the schedule.

“Following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, the commission has reviewed and realigned the schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework,” the statement read.

The commission also outlined key milestones in the revised timetable.

Party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will commence on April 23, 2026, and end on May 30, 2026.

Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026.

INEC reminded political parties that campaigns must end 24 hours before election day and warned that it would strictly enforce compliance.

“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,” the statement said.

The commission announced that the revised timetable has been published on its official website and other communication platforms.

INEC also announced a slight adjustment to the Osun State governorship poll, rescheduling it from August 8, 2026 to Saturday, August 15, 2026.

The commission noted that while some activities for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections had already been conducted, the remaining processes would align strictly with the Electoral Act, 2026.

It emphasised that the revised dates are consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the new Electoral Act.

“The successful conduct of the forthcoming elections remains a collective responsibility,” the commission stated, calling on stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections.