INEC has released the revised 2027 General Elections timetable and schedule.
Glamtush reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised timetable and schedule of activities for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, shifting key poll dates earlier following the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026.
INEC previously scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, February 20, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for Saturday, March 6, 2027.
The original schedule was rejected by some Muslim stakeholders, who argued that the dates coincided with the Ramadan period.
This prompted the Senate to amend Clause 28 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, reducing the mandatory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days, thereby enabling INEC to change the dates.
In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission confirmed the shift in dates.
“The Commission had earlier 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 elections.
“Following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026… the Commission has reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework,” Haruna noted.
Revised Schedule:
Presidential and National Assembly Elections: Saturday, January 16, 2027.
Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections: Saturday, February 6, 2027.
The new dates come after public criticism of the earlier February schedule, which coincided with Ramadan observances.
Other preparatory activities for the elections are scheduled to start as early as 1st April 2026.
The full revised timetable and schedule is as follows:
| S/N | Activity | Date |
| 1 | Notice of Election | 13th February 2026 |
| 2 | Submission of Political Parties’ Register of Members to the Commission | Commencement: 1st April 2026End: 21st April 2026 |
| 3 | Conduct of Party Primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from the process | Commencement: 23rd April 2026
End: 30th May 2026 |
| 4 | Submission of Forms EC9 and EC9A, 9B, 9C, 9D & 9E online (Nomination Portal) | Presidential & National Assembly: 9:00 AM, 27th June 2026 – 6:00 PM, 11th July 2026Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: 9:00 AM, 18th July 2026 – 6:00 PM, 8th August, 2026 |
| 5 | Publication of Personal Particulars of Candidates (EC9) by the Commission | Presidential & National Assembly: 14th August 2026Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: 20th August 2026 |
| 6 | Commencement of Campaign by Political Parties in public | Presidential & National Assembly: 19th August 2026Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: 9th September 2026 |
| 7 | Last day for withdrawal by candidate(s)/replacement of withdrawn candidate(s) by Political Parties | Presidential & National Assembly: 22nd August 2026Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: 19th September 2026 |
| 8 | Last day for submission of Nomination Forms (EC13A, 13B, 13C, 13D & 13E) by Political Parties | Presidential & National Assembly: 29th August 2026
Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: 26th September 2026 |
| 9 | Publication of final list of nominated candidates by the Commission | Presidential & National Assembly: 12th September 2026Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: 10th October 2026 |
| 10 | Last day for submission of names of Polling Agents to the Electoral Officer of the Local Government Area by Political Parties | Presidential & National Assembly: 10th December 2026Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: 6th January 2027 |
| 11 | Publication of the official Register of Voters by the Commission | 15th December 2026 |
| 12 | Publication of Notice of Poll by the Commission | 29th December 2026 |
| 13 | Last day for campaigns by Political Parties | Presidential & National Assembly: 14th January 2027Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: Febraury 4th, 2027 |
| 14 | Date of Election | Presidential & National Assembly: 16th January 2027Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: 6th February 2027 |
