INEC releases timetable, fixes dates for Presidential, NASS polls in 2027

*Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission formally releases election timetable and schedule of activities for 2027 General Elections, fixing Saturday, February 20, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections and March 6 for Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections in the country

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally released the Notice of Election and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Elections, setting Saturday, 20th February 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections and Saturday, 6th March 2027, for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, Chairman of INEC, announced the dates at a press conference held Friday, February 13, 2026, at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja.

Amupitan described the release of the documents as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

The Chairman also noted the move is a constitutional obligation in line with the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022.

He explained that INEC made the announcement of election timetable and schedule of activities for next year’s General Elections pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 as well as Sections 76(2), 116 (2), 132 (2) and 178 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

ConsumerConnect reports the relevant provision mandates the Commission to publish the Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the date appointed for the election.

Amupitan further cited Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2) of the Constitution, which provide that elections shall be held not earlier than 150 days, and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of the last holder of the office.

Tenures of President, VP, most Governors and Deputies end May 28, 2027 says Amupitan

Underlining the rationale for releasing the timelines of elections and schedule of activities for the upcoming General Elections, Prof. Amupitan affirmed that the tenure of the President, Vice-President, Governors and Deputy Governors, except in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun States, will expire on 28th May 2027, while the National and State Assemblies will stand dissolved on 8th June 2027.

He equally noted that the Commission had, in recent weeks, countered misleading information regarding the dates and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Elections.

The Chairman of INEC as well stressed that only the Commission is constitutionally empowered to fix election dates and release the timetable in Nigeria.

The 2027 General Elections will be conducted nationwide for the offices of President and Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Governors and Deputy Governors in the states where elections are due; Members of the Senate; Members of the House of Representatives; and Members of the State Houses of Assembly.

Providing details of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities, Prof. Amupitan said party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from the primaries, will hold between May 22, 2026 and June 20, 2026.

The publication of Personal Particulars of candidates (Form EC9) by the Commission will take place August 4, 2026, for Presidential and National Assembly candidates, while that of Governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates is scheduled for 1st September 2026.

Political parties to begin campaigns September 2026, February 2027

Reeling of other scheduled activities in the run up to the 2027 General Elections, Prof. Amupitan confirmed that campaigns by political parties in public would commence 23rd September, 2026, for Presidential and National Assembly elections, and end 18th February 2027.

He also disclosed that campaigns for Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections woyld commence 7th October, 2026, and conclude at midnight 4th March, 2027, in compliance with the requirement that campaigns end 24 hours before Election Day.

The Chairman expleined that the detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities had been uploaded to the Commission’s official Web site and circulated to all registered political parties and relevant stakeholders.

According  to him, the 36 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and that of the FCT have also been directed to publish the Notice in each constituency where an election is to be held.

Acknowledging the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act, 2022 by the National Assembly, the INEC Chairman, therefore, assured stakeholders that the Commission remains committed to acting within the existing legal framework in the political ecosystem.

Amupitan said although the Commission is open to reforms that would strengthen the electoral process, it must proceed in accordance with the current law to avoid uncertainty and logistical challenges as events unfold.

Prof. Amupitan advised political parties to strictly adhere to the timelines contained in the Schedule of Activities.

He warned that the Commission would not hesitate to enforce compliance with the law.

The Chairman urged the leadership of political parties to conduct peaceful and credible primaries, shun violence and inflammatory rhetoric, and uphold internal democracy.

He equally, appealed to candidates, supporters and the electorate to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral cycle.

Amupitan further reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to deepening the deployment of technology to enhance transparency, ensuring the continuous cleaning and updating of the National Register of Voters, strengthening engagement with security agencies to guarantee peaceful elections, and expanding voter education and stakeholder collaboratio.

The Chairman emphasised that INEC remains an independent body guided solely by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and its Regulations and Guidelines.

He described the success of the 2027 General Elections as a collective responsibility.

The INEC Chief urged government institutions, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and all Nigerians to play their respective roles.

Prof. Amupitan also assured Nigerians of the Commission’s preparedness, formally released the Notice of Election and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities, pledging that INEC will deliver elections that reflect the sovereign will of the people.

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