INEC Shifts 2027 General Elections, Adjusts Timetable to Align with New Electoral Law
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a revised timetable for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections following changes introduced by the newly enacted Electoral Act, 2026.
The electoral body disclosed that the adjustment became necessary after the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, with the new law altering key statutory timelines for pre-election and election activities.
Under the updated schedule, presidential and National Assembly elections will now take place on Saturday, January 16, 2027, instead of the earlier date of February 20. Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have also been moved forward to Saturday, February 6, 2027, from the previously scheduled March 6.
INEC outlined critical milestones leading up to the polls, noting that party primaries, including the resolution of disputes, will run from April 23 to May 30, 2026.
Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections are set to begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026.
The commission reiterated that all political campaigns must end 24 hours before election day, warning that strict compliance with the timetable will be enforced.
In a related development, INEC also rescheduled the Osun State governorship election from August 8 to August 15, 2026, citing the need to align outstanding activities with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The commission noted that some processes for both Osun and Ekiti elections had already been completed, with remaining activities to proceed under the new legal framework.
INEC emphasized that the revised timetable is consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026.
The commission called on political parties, stakeholders, and citizens to work collectively toward ensuring peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people.
