The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revised the timetable for the 2027 General Election, rescheduling both the presidential and governorship polls in line with the newly enacted Electoral Act, 2026
In a press statement issued on Wednesday and signed by National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission said the adjustments followed the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced changes to statutory timelines for pre-election and electoral activities.
INEC 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.
However, under the revised timetable, Presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have been moved to Saturday, February 6, 2027.
The Commission also outlined key milestones in the updated schedule. Party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from the primaries, will commence on April 23, 2026, and end on May 30, 2026.
Campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026. INEC reminded political parties that campaigns must end 24 hours before election day, in accordance with the law, warning that it would strictly enforce compliance.
The revised timetable has been published on the Commission’s official website and other communication platforms.
In a related development, INEC announced that the Osun State Governorship Election earlier scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026, has been rescheduled to Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The Commission noted that some activities concerning the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections had already been conducted but stated that the remaining processes would now be implemented strictly in line with the Electoral Act, 2026.
INEC affirmed that the revised dates are consistent with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026, and called on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.
