The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections following the Electoral Act amendment concluded recently by the National Assembly.
Under the new schedule, presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, earlier than previously fixed.
Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have been slated for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
INEC said the adjustment became necessary after the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the introduction of new statutory timelines under the 2026 law.
The Commission explained that the changes required a comprehensive realignment of pre-election activities, including party primaries and campaign periods.
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Before the revision, the presidential election had been scheduled for February 20, 2027, while the governorship and state assembly polls were fixed for March 6, 2027.
According to the updated framework, political party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly candidates will commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly candidates will begin on September 9, 2026.
INEC stated that all campaign activities must end 24 hours before polling day, in line with the law.
It urged political parties and aspirants to strictly comply with the revised timetable, warning that provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 would be enforced without exception.
The detailed schedule, it added, has been published on its official communication platforms for public access.
In a related development, the Commission shifted the Osun State governorship election by one week, from August 8 to August 15, 2026, to align with the new legal framework.
While noting that some preparatory processes for the Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections had already been concluded, INEC assured stakeholders that all outstanding activities would comply fully with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2026.
In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission reaffirmed that conducting credible elections in 2027 remains a collective national responsibility.
INEC called on political parties, candidates, civil society organisations, security agencies, the media and voters to work together to ensure a peaceful, transparent and inclusive electoral process that reflects the sovereign will of Nigerians.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
