Breaking! INEC Revises 2027 General Election Timetable

In a press statement issued on February 26, 2026, and signed by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission announced that the Presidential and National Assembly elections will now be held on Saturday, January 16, 2027.

The Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have been rescheduled to Saturday, February 6, 2027.
INEC had earlier fixed February 20 and March 6, 2027, for the two categories of elections respectively, in line with the Electoral Act, 2022.

However, following the repeal of the 2022 Act and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, the Commission said it reviewed and realigned the schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework.

Under the revised timetable, party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will commence on April 23, 2026 and end on May 30, 2026.

Campaigns for the 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. In accordance with the law, campaigns are to end 24 hours before election day.

INEC urged political parties to strictly adhere to the timelines, warning that it would enforce compliance with the Electoral Act, 2026.

The Commission also announced the rescheduling of the Osun State Governorship Election from Saturday, August 8, 2026, to Saturday, August 15, 2026.
It noted that some activities concerning the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections had already been conducted, but stated that all remaining activities would be implemented strictly in line with the Electoral Act, 2026.

According to the Commission, the revised dates are consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), as well as the new Electoral Act.

INEC emphasised that the successful conduct of the forthcoming elections remains a collective responsibility and called on stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive polls that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.