The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The changes come in direct response to the recent repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced adjustments to key pre-election timelines and other electoral activities.
Under the new schedule announced on Thursday, February 26, 2026:
The Presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027
The Governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027
This is a shift from the previous dates set under the 2022 Act: February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly polls, and March 6, 2027, for governorship and state assembly elections.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, confirmed the revisions in an official statement.
He explained that the commission reviewed and realigned the entire schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework established by the Electoral Act, 2026.
It is noted that the earlier dates (particularly the March governorship polls) overlapped with the expected period of Ramadan in 2027, potentially posing logistical and participation challenges in Muslim-majority regions.
The new January-February window appears to avoid such conflicts while maintaining the traditional sequence of national polls preceding state-level ones.
Other highlights from the revised timetable include:
Campaign periods: Presidential and National Assembly campaigns are expected to commence around August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns begin on or about September 9, 2026.
For the complete timetable and further details, visit INEC’s official website at inecnigeria.org or follow their verified social media handles.
Administrator and Writer
