INEC Fixes Feb 20, March 6, 2027 For General Elections

…INEC Fixes Feb 20, March 6, 2027 for General Elections

…Presidential, N’Assembly Polls To Hold First
Governorship, Assembly Elections Slated Two Weeks After

Daud Olatunji

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Friday announced that the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, February 20, 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls have been scheduled for Saturday, March 6, 2027.

The Chairman of the commission, Joash Amupitan, disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja, stating that the release of the timetable and schedule of activities was in strict compliance with constitutional and statutory provisions.

Amupitan said the action was pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which mandates the commission to publish a notice of election not later than 360 days before the date appointed for the polls.

“This action we are taking today is in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and, in particular, Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which requires the commission to publish the notice of election not later than 360 days before the date fixed for the election,” he said.

He explained that the tenure of the President, Vice-President, governors and deputy governors  except in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi and Ondo states  will expire on May 28, 2027, while the membership of the National and State Assemblies will stand dissolved on June 8, 2027.

Citing Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the INEC boss noted that elections into the affected offices must be conducted not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the current mandates.
Electoral Act amendment

The announcement comes amid ongoing deliberations by the National Assembly on amendments to the Electoral Act.

INEC had earlier indicated that it had concluded work on the 2027 timetable despite delays in legislative action, but warned that minor adjustments might become necessary depending on the timing and content of any amendment passed by lawmakers.

Amupitan reaffirmed the commission’s constitutional independence, stressing that the power to fix election dates resides solely with INEC.

He directed Resident Electoral Commissioners, including the one in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, to publish notices of election in their respective states and constituencies.
Primaries, campaigns

According to him, political party primaries, submission of nomination forms and campaign activities will be conducted strictly within the statutory timelines provided in the published schedule.

He added that campaigns would end 24 hours before election day, in compliance with the law.

The 2027 general election will cover the offices of President and Vice-President, governors and deputy governors in eligible states, as well as members of the Senate, House of Representatives and state Houses of Assembly.

Amupitan said the detailed timetable and schedule of activities had been uploaded on the commission’s website and circulated to registered political parties and other stakeholders.

“The commission has worked meticulously to set the election timetable and sequence of activities to ensure a smooth electoral process in 2027. We remain committed to conducting free, fair and credible elections,” he stated.

He also acknowledged ongoing calls for reforms to strengthen the electoral framework in line with evolving democratic expectations, assuring Nigerians that preparations  including continuous voter registration, party primaries, candidate nominations and deployment of technology for voter verification and result collation  would be concluded ahead of the polls.

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