…warns against fake election schedules
*Presidential poll Feb 20, governorship March 6
*Parties get primaries, campaign deadlines
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially fixed February 20, 2027 for Presidential and National Assembly elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Friday in Abuja.
He said governorship and state assembly elections will also hold the same day on March 6, 2027, two weeks after the presidential election.
Amupitan said with the announcement of the time table, the commission had formally set in motion, the electoral process in line with constitutional and legal requirements.
He explained 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 May 28, 2027, while the National and State Assemblies dissolve on June 8, 2027.
Amupitan said pursuant to Sections 76(2), 116 (2), 132 (2) and 178 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), elections to the said offices shall hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of` the last holder of that office.
He added that the action was taken pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which mandate the commission to publish the Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the date appointed for the election.
“In exercise of the powers conferred on the Commission by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022 and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the commission hereby sets in motion, the electoral process for the 2027 General Elections and fixes the date for the 2027 general elections as follows:
“Presidential & National Assembly- February 20, 2027. Governorship & State Houses of Assembly-March 6, 2027.”
INEC in the timetable published said political parties are required to submit their registers of members to INEC between April 22 and May 21, 2026, ahead of party primaries which will take place from May 22 to June 20, 2026.
The submission of nomination forms for presidential and National Assembly candidates will run from July 14 to July 28, 2026, while governorship and state assembly candidates will submit their forms between August 11 and August 25, 2026.
INEC said it will publish the personal particulars of candidates (Form EC9) on August 4, 2026, for national elections, and September 1, 2026, for state elections.
The commission has also outlined deadlines for withdrawal or replacement of candidates, publication of final candidate lists, and commencement of public campaigns.
Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections are set to start on September 23, 2026, while state-level campaigns will begin on October 7, 2026.
INEC said campaigning ends 24 hours before the respective election dates.
Other key dates include the publication of the official register of voters on January 11, 2027, and the notice of poll on January 21, 2027, in line with the Electoral Act, 2022.
Submission of polling agents’ names is due by December 22, 2026, for national elections, and January 5, 2027, for state elections.
Amupitan said the detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities have been uploaded to the Commission’s official website and circulated to all registered political parties and relevant stakeholders.
He directed all the 36 Resident Electoral Commissioners and that of the FCT are directed to publish this Notice in each constituency in respect of which an election is to be held.
He said the dates reflect the commitment of the commission to ensuring that our electoral processes are transparent, credible, and adhere to the provisions of our laws.
Amupitan warned against speculation by some individuals who had circulated unofficial election timetables, describing such acts as misleading.
He also noted that INEC is closely monitoring the ongoing Electoral Act amendment process at the National Assembly, but will act strictly according to existing law until any changes are formally enacted.
The chairman urged political parties to strictly adhere to the timetable for primaries, submission of nomination forms, and campaigns, and stressed that INEC would enforce compliance to ensure credible elections.
Highlighting the commission’s preparedness, Amupitan said INEC is committed to expanding the use of technology, updating the voters’ register, collaborating with security agencies, and intensifying voter education ahead of the elections.
He called on all political actors and citizens to ensure peaceful conduct throughout the electoral process, stating, “The success of the 2027 general elections is a collective responsibility”.
Source: The Guardian