By Uche Kalu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the notice of election and the official timetable for the 2027 General Elections, fixing Saturday, February 20, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly polls and Saturday, March 6, 2027, for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, announced the dates during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, saying the decision was guided strictly by constitutional and statutory provisions. He cited Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2) of the Constitution of the Nigeria, which mandate that elections into the offices of President, Governors, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly must be conducted not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of the last office holders.
According to him, the tenure of the president, vice president, governors and deputy governors — except those of Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun states — will expire on May 28, 2027, while the national and state assemblies will stand dissolved on June 8, 2027.
Amupitan further explained that the Commission acted in line with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires INEC to publish the Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the date appointed for the elections. “It is with a deep sense of constitutional responsibility and commitment to democratic consolidation that the Commission formally releases the Notice of Election and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Elections,” he said.
Details of the timetable show that submission of political parties’ registers of members will commence in April 2026, while party primaries will hold between May 22 and June 20, 2026. Online submission of nomination forms for candidates (Forms EC9 and related documents) is scheduled for July and August 2026, followed by the publication of candidates’ personal particulars and the final list of nominated candidates in August, September and October.
He noted that campaigns by political parties will officially begin on September 23, 2026, for the presidential and national assembly elections and October 7, 2026, for governorship and state assembly contests. Campaigns are to end 24 hours before polling day in accordance with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.
The last day for submission of names of polling agents is December 22, 2026, while the official Register of Voters will be published on January 11, 2027. Notice of Poll is expected on January 21, 2027.
The INEC chairman noted that although the National Assembly is currently considering amendments to the Electoral Act, the Commission must operate within the existing legal framework to avoid logistical challenges. He warned political parties to strictly comply with the timelines, stressing that the Commission would enforce the law without hesitation.
Amupitan also reiterated INEC’s commitment to deploying technology to enhance transparency, continuously updating the voters’ register, strengthening collaboration with security agencies and expanding voter education.
He urged parties to conduct peaceful and credible primaries and called on candidates and supporters to avoid violence and inflammatory rhetoric throughout the electoral process. “The success of the 2027 General Elections is a collective responsibility. We remain committed to delivering elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people,” he added.
