Headlines
INEC Releases Full Timetable for 2027 General Elections
A revised timetable and schedule of activities for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections have been unveiled, with key poll dates moved earlier following the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026.
The electoral body had initially fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, February 20, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections were slated for Saturday, March 6, 2027.
However, the original schedule faced opposition from some Muslim stakeholders who noted that the dates overlapped with the Ramadan period.
In response, the Senate amended Clause 28 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, shortening the mandatory election notice period from 360 days to 300 days, a move that created room for adjustments to the election timetable.
The revised timetable, published by INEC via its X handle on Thursday and signed by its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, now puts the Presidential & National Assembly elections on January 16, 2027, and the Governorship & State Houses of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027.
Other preparatory activities for the elections are scheduled to start as early as 1st April 2026.
The full revised timetable and schedule is as follows:
Political parties are expected to submit their registers of members between April 1 and April 21, 2026, after which party primaries, including the resolution of disputes, will be held from April 23 to May 30, 2026.
The submission of nomination forms (EC9 series) through the commission’s online portal is scheduled for June 27 to July 11, 2026 for presidential and National Assembly candidates, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates will submit theirs between July 18 and August 8, 2026.
Publication of candidates’ personal particulars will follow on August 14, 2026 for presidential and National Assembly elections, and August 20, 2026 for governorship and state assembly contests. Campaigns are set to commence on August 19, 2026 for presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will begin on September 9, 2026.
The deadline for withdrawal or replacement of candidates is August 22, 2026 for presidential and National Assembly polls and September 19, 2026 for governorship and state assembly elections. Political parties must also complete the final submission of nomination forms (EC13 series) by August 29, 2026 for presidential and National Assembly candidates and September 26, 2026 for governorship and state assembly candidates.
The commission will publish the final list of nominated candidates on September 12, 2026 for presidential and National Assembly elections and October 10, 2026 for governorship and state assembly elections. Submission of polling agents’ names is fixed for December 10, 2026 for presidential and National Assembly elections and January 6, 2027 for governorship and state assembly polls.
Further activities include the publication of the official register of voters on December 15, 2026, followed by the notice of poll on December 29, 2026. Campaigns will officially end on January 14, 2027 for presidential and National Assembly elections and February 4, 2027 for governorship and state assembly contests.
The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled to hold on January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
punch
See also:
Breaking News: Senate Passed Bill for Federal Medical Centre, Ijebu Ode.
Ex-NNPC GM Paulinus Okoronkwo Sentenced to 87 Months in US Over $2.1m Bribe.
Gunmen Attack Peter Obi’s Convoy in Benin After Akpata’s ADC Defection