INEC fixes 2027 election timetable … Presidential, NASS polls hold Feb. 20 … Governorship, State Assembly elections set for March 6 … Chairman Amupitan affirms commission’s independence amid reform debates. By Lai Gidado

INEC fixes 2027 election timetable

… Presidential, NASS polls hold Feb. 20

… Governorship, State Assembly elections set for March 6

… Chairman Amupitan affirms commission’s independence amid reform debates.

By Lai Gidado 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially fixed the 2027 general elections.

The commission scheduled the presidential and National Assembly polls for Saturday, 20 February 2027.

Meanwhile, the governorship and state assembly elections have been slated for Saturday, 6 March 2027.

INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan announced the timetable at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, saying the move is in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires the commission to publish election notices at least 360 days before the appointed date.

“This action we are taking today is pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria, and in particular, Section 28, subsection 1 of the Electoral Act, 2022, which mandates the Commission to publish the notice of election not later than 360 days before the date appointed for the election,” Mr Amupitan said.

He noted that the tenure of the President, Vice-President, Governors, and Deputy Governors—except in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, and Ondo States—will lapse on 28 May 2027, while membership of the National and State Assemblies will dissolve on 8 June 2027.

Citing Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2), and 178(2) of the Constitution, Mr Amupitan emphasised that elections to the affected offices must be held not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of current mandates.

The announcement comes amid debates over the Electoral Amendment Bill currently before the National Assembly.

INEC had earlier indicated on 4 February that it had finalised the 2027 election timetable despite delays in legislative action, but warned that adjustments may be necessary depending on when the amended law is enacted.

Reaffirming the commission’s independence, Mr Amupitan stressed that the authority to fix election dates rests solely with INEC.

He instructed all Resident Electoral Commissioners, including that of the FCT, to publish notices in their respective constituencies.

He also outlined that party primaries, submission of nomination forms, and campaign activities will proceed strictly within the statutory windows set in the published timetable, with campaigns ending 24 hours before election day as stipulated by law.

The 2027 general elections will cover the offices of President and Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors in eligible states, and members of the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly.

The detailed timetable has been uploaded to INEC’s website and circulated to registered political parties and 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, even as we await the National Assembly’s approval of the amended Electoral Act,” Mr Amupitan said.

Pre-election preparations will include continuous voter registration, party primaries, candidate nominations, and the deployment of technology for voter verification and result collation.

INEC said all preparations will be completed ahead of the polls to ensure transparency.

Political parties have meanwhile urged lawmakers to expedite consideration of the Electoral Amendment Bill to avoid last-minute disruptions to the 2027 electoral process.