INEC Unveils Revised 2027 Election Timetable, Reschedules Presidential, Guber Polls
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced significant changes to the timetable for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, moving the Presidential and National Assembly polls forward to Saturday, 16 January 2027.
The adjustment follows the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which introduced new statutory timelines for conducting elections. INEC explained that the updated legal framework required a complete review and realignment of previously announced election dates.
In a statement released Thursday night, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said the Commission “reviewed and realigned the schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework.”
Under the revised calendar, the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are now scheduled for Saturday, 6 February 2027, marking a departure from earlier plans that had set the presidential election for late February and state-level polls for March.
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The changes have also affected off-cycle elections. The Osun State Governorship Election, originally slated for 8 August 2026, has been postponed to Saturday, 15 August 2026. INEC noted that while preparations for the Ekiti and Osun polls are ongoing, remaining activities will proceed in strict accordance with the Electoral Act 2026.
The Commission has set a clear timetable for political parties, with party primaries and the resolution of related disputes scheduled to begin on 23 April 2026 and conclude by 30 May 2026. Campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on 19 August 2026, followed by Governorship and State Assembly campaigns starting on 9 September 2026.
Haruna stressed that political actors must strictly adhere to these timelines. “Political parties are strongly advised to comply fully with the law, and the Commission will enforce these regulations. All campaigns must end exactly 24 hours before their respective election days,” he said.
The Commission emphasized that the revised schedule is consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Electoral Act, 2026. INEC further called on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.
By PRNigeria
