Ramadan: Independent National Electoral Commission Unveils New Timetable for 2027 General Election

A new schedule for the 2027 General Election has been issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which includes the National Assembly and presidential votes.

The National Assembly and Presidential elections are scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 16, 2027.

The next election is scheduled on Saturday, February 6, 2027, for the governorship and state houses of assembly.

The updated schedule was released in Abuja on Thursday, and Prof. Joash Amupitan, the chairman of INEC, signed it.

State elections were scheduled for March 6, 2027, and national elections for February 20, 2027, according to INEC.

In accordance with the Electoral Act, 2022, the earlier dates were declared in February.

Malam Mohammed Haruna stated that the change came after the Electoral Act of 2022 was repealed and the Electoral Act of 2026 was passed.

According to Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information Committee, the new law changed important statutory deadlines.

According to him, INEC examined and restructured its operations to guarantee complete adherence to the new legal framework.

In light of this, the Commission decided that the new date for the presidential and national assembly elections is Saturday, January 16, 2027.

“The election of the governorship and state houses of assembly will now take place on Saturday, February 6, 2027,” he stated.

Party primaries, which would include dispute settlement, will start on April 23 and extend through May 30, 2026, according to Haruna.

Between April 1 and April 21, 2026, he stated, party membership registrations would be submitted.

From June 27 until July 11, 2026, candidates for the National Assembly and the presidency may submit their nomination forms.

Nominations for governorships and State assemblies will be accepted from July 18 to August 8, 2026.

On August 1, 2026, INEC will release the details of national candidates that have been nominated.

On August 29, 2026, state candidates’ specifics will be made public.

National candidates have until August 22, 2026, to withdraw or be replaced.

The deadline for withdrawals from State Assembly and governorship elections is September 19, 2026.

On September 12, 2026, the complete list of national candidates will be released.

October 10, 2026, will see the unveiling of the final list of state candidates.

On August 19, 2026, the presidential and national assembly campaigns will start.

The State House of Assembly and Governorship campaigns will start on September 9, 2026.

He stated that campaigns must conclude 24 hours prior to election day, as required by law.

Haruna threatened to compel compliance if political parties did not follow the timeline.

He stated that the updated schedule may be found on INEC’s official website as well as other communication channels.

Additionally, the Osun Governorship Election was delayed by INEC from August 8-August 15, 2026.

The panel observes that certain preparations for the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun have already been completed.

Haruna declared, “But now, the remaining activities will be carried out strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.”

He said that the updated dates complied with the 1999 Constitution in its altered form.

Haruna said that everyone shared responsibility for the elections’ effective conduct.

He urged everyone involved to work together to ensure that elections represent the sovereign will of Nigerians in a peaceful, inclusive, and credible manner.