Independent National Electoral Commission has moved ahead with preparations for the 2027 General Elections, releasing a comprehensive timetable that schedules the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027.
The commission’s decision comes amid concerns over delays in the passage of the amended Electoral Act at the National Assembly. However, INEC revealed its planning process was already concluded before the legislative uncertainty.
“Work on the 2027 General Election timetable has been completed,” the commission stated, that the schedule was designed to ensure “adequate preparation and strict adherence to constitutional timelines.”
According to the timetable, Governorship and State House of Assembly elections will be held on March 6, 2027, two weeks after the presidential poll, a sequence INEC assured would allow for “effective logistics deployment and improved election management.”
INEC also outlined clear campaign windows for political parties. Campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will run from November 18, 2026, to February 19, 2027, while Governorship and State Assembly campaigns will take place between December 15, 2026, and March 5, 2027.
“The commission expects all political parties to strictly comply with the approved campaign periods,” INEC warned, stressing that “no form of campaigning will be permitted outside the stipulated timelines.”
As part of efforts to boost voter participation, INEC announced that Continuous Voter Registration will commence in April 2026 and end in January 2027.
The commission noted that the window would “provide eligible Nigerians ample opportunity to register or update their voter records.”
On party activities, INEC said primaries are scheduled to hold between July 1 and September 30, 2026, while submission of candidates’ lists will take place from October 1 to October 31, 2026.
“The final list of candidates will be published on November 15, 2026, in line with the Electoral Act,” the commission said.