The Independent National Electoral Commission has released a revised timetable for the 2027 General Elections following a lot of back and forth occasioned by in some instances lawsuit and the need to ensure it does not clash with religious events….
The Independent National Electoral Commission has released a revised timetable for the 2027 General Elections following a lot of back and forth occasioned by in some instances lawsuit and the need to ensure it does not clash with religious events.
Here are ten key things to know in the revised timetable:
- Presidential Election Holds on January 16, 2027 Nigerians will elect the President and members of the National Assembly on Saturday, January 16, 2027.
2. Governorship Elections Scheduled for February 6
Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
3. Party Primaries Begin in April 2026
Political parties are to conduct their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026, including resolving disputes arising from the exercise.
4. Nomination of Candidates Starts in June
Submission of nomination forms for presidential and National Assembly candidates will run from June 27 to July 11, 2026, while governorship and state assembly nominations will be accepted from July 18 to August 8, 2026.
5. Campaigns Begin in August and September
Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will begin on September 9, 2026.
6. Final Candidate Lists to Be Published in September and October
INEC will publish the final list of candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections on September 12, 2026, while the governorship and state assembly lists will be released on October 10, 2026.
7. Deadline Set for Candidate Withdrawal
Political parties have until August 22, 2026, to withdraw or replace presidential and National Assembly candidates, while the deadline for governorship candidates is September 19, 2026.
8. Campaigns Must End 24 Hours Before Polls
Campaigns for the presidential election will end on January 14, 2027, while governorship campaigns will close on February 4, 2027, in line with the Electoral Act.
9. Voters’ Register and Poll Notice to Be Published Before Elections
INEC will publish the official Register of Voters on December 15, 2026, and the Notice of Poll on December 29, 2026.
10. Timetable Aligns with the Electoral Act 2026
The commission said the revised timetable complies with the Electoral Act 2026, which requires campaigns to begin 150 days before an election and end 24 hours before polling day, while all other electoral activities must meet statutory deadlines.
