RAMADAN FASTING: INEC Defends 2027 General Elections Timetable, Mulls Possible Review
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified the basis for fixing February and March 2027 as dates for the next general elections, assuring Nigerians that the timetable was drawn strictly in line with existing constitutional and legal provisions.
In a statement issued on February 13, 2026, by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission said the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election were developed in compliance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022.
According to the Commission, its regulations, in place since 2019, clearly stipulate that presidential and National Assembly elections shall hold on the third Saturday of February in any general election year, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are to take place two weeks later.
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“Election to the office of President and Vice President, as well as National Assembly, shall hold on the Third Saturday of February of any General Election year, while election to the Office of Governor and Deputy Governor and the State Houses of Assembly shall hold two (2) weeks thereafter,” the statement quoted from Paragraph 2 of the regulations.
Based on this provision, INEC fixed Saturday, February 20, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, and Saturday, March 6, 2027, for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls.
However, the Commission acknowledged concerns raised by stakeholders over the coincidence of the scheduled dates with certain nationally recognised holidays and observances.
INEC assured the public that it remains sensitive to all legitimate concerns that could affect voter participation and the smooth conduct of elections.
“In view of these representations, the Commission is currently undertaking consultations and may, where necessary, seek appropriate legislative intervention to address the concerns raised, while ensuring that any adjustment remains consistent with constitutional and statutory requirements,” the statement said.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and the credible conduct of the 2027 General Election, promising to keep Nigerians informed of any further developments regarding the election timetable.
By PRNigeria
