The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections as it officially released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, unveiled the schedule on Friday at a news conference at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to the timetable, national elections covering the Presidential and National Assembly polls will hold on February 20, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for March 6, 2027.
Key Dates and Deadlines
The commission scheduled party primaries, including resolution of disputes, to run from May 22 to June 20, 2026.
Submission of nomination forms for presidential and National Assembly elections via the INEC online portal will open on July 14 and close on July 28, 2026.
For governorship and state assembly elections, political parties are to submit nomination forms between August 11 and August 25, 2026, with access codes to be issued at INEC headquarters on July 13.
INEC will publish personal particulars of candidates for national elections on August 4, while those for state elections will be displayed on September 1.
The last day for withdrawal or replacement of candidates is fixed for August 25 for national elections and September 24 for state-level polls.
Final lists of nominated candidates will be published on August 15 for national elections and October 6 for state elections.
The notice of poll is scheduled for publication on January 21, 2027, while the official register of voters will be released on January 11, 2027.
Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on September 23, 2026, and end on February 18, 2027. Governorship and state assembly campaigns will run from October 7, 2026, to March 4, 2027.
Constitutional Backing
Amupitan said the timetable was issued in accordance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the commission to publish the notice of election not later than 360 days before the polls.
He noted that the tenures of the President, Vice-President and state governors (excluding off-cycle states) will expire on May 28, 2027, while the National and State Houses of Assembly will stand dissolved on June 8, 2027.
The off-cycle governorship states include Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun.
Commitment to Transparency
The INEC chairman said the early release of the timetable demonstrates the commission’s commitment to transparency, rule of law and logistical preparedness.
He urged political parties to strictly adhere to the timelines, warning that the commission would enforce compliance.
On the pending Electoral Amendment Bill before the National Assembly, Amupitan stated that INEC remains ready to implement reforms that strengthen the electoral system but would continue to operate within the current legal framework until any amendment becomes law.
He called on political parties to conduct peaceful and credible primaries, shun violence and inflammatory rhetoric, and uphold internal democracy.
“As an independent electoral body, we are committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that our actions are guided by the established legal framework,” he said.
Amupitan also pledged to deepen the deployment of technology while maintaining impartiality and professionalism throughout the electoral cycle.
He urged all stakeholders – political parties, candidates, civil society organisations and citizens – to begin preparations for what he described as a pivotal electoral process.
“Let us work together to ensure that the electoral process is peaceful, inclusive and reflective of the will of the Nigerian people,” he added.
Visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.
