INEC Picks Feb.20 for Presidential Election
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday released the notice of election and the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, officially released the timetable at a news conference at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to the schedule, the national elections (Presidential and National Assembly) will be held on Feb. 20, 2027, while state elections (Governorship and State Houses of Assembly) are slated for March 6, 2027.
The conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, is expected to commence on May 22, 2027 and end on June 20, 2027.
The submission of nomination forms by political parties via the INEC online portal for the national elections will open on July 14, 2026 and close on July 28, 2026.
For state elections, the submission period is between Aug. 11, 2026 and Aug. 25, 2026, with access codes to be made available to parties at the INEC headquarters on July 13, 2026.
The commission also scheduled the publication of personal particulars of candidates for the presidential and national assembly elections for Aug. 4, while those for the governorship and state assembly polls will be published on Sept. 1.
The timetable fixed Aug. 25 as the last day for the withdrawal or replacement of candidates for national elections, and Sept. 24 for state-level candidates.
Similarly, INEC will publish the final list of nominated candidates for the national elections on Aug. 15 and for state polls on Oct. 6.
While the publication of the notice of poll is set for Jan. 21, 2027, the commission will publish the official register of voters on Jan. 11, 2027.
Public campaigns for the presidential and national assembly elections are scheduled to commence on Sept. 23, 2026 and end on Feb. 18, 2027.
Campaigns for the governorship and state houses of assembly elections will start on Oct. 7, 2026 and end on March 4, 2027.
Amupitan stated that the timetable was released pursuant to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.
He explained that the Act mandates INEC to publish the notice of election not later than 360 days before the date appointed for the polls.
The chairman emphasised that the commission acted swiftly to ensure the integrity of the process and to mitigate logistical challenges that could arise from delays.
He noted that under the 1999 Constitution, the tenures of the president, vice-president, and state governors (excluding off-cycle states) will expire on May 28, 2027 while the national and state houses of assembly are expected to stand dissolved on June 8, 2027.
NAN reports that the off-cycle governorship elections are: Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun states.
According to the INEC chairman, the release of the timetable is a reflection of the commission’s commitment to transparency and adherence to the rule of law.
He advised political parties to strictly follow the timelines, warning that the commission would enforce compliance.
On the pending Electoral Amendment Bill in the National Assembly, the chairman expressed INEC’s readiness to adopt any change that would strengthen the system, but stressed that current operations remained guided by the existing legal framework.
Amupitan urged political parties to conduct peaceful primaries and called on all stakeholders to begin preparations for the ‘pivotal’ 2027 polls.
He, however, emphasised the need to act in accordance with the existing provisions of the Electoral Act.
“As an independent electoral body, we are committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that our actions are guided by the established legal framework.
“The timely announcement of the election date is a critical step in this process, allowing our stakeholders—political parties, civil society organisations and the electorate—to prepare adequately for the elections,’’ he said.
Amupitan further pledged the commission’s commitment to deepening the use of technology and maintaining an impartial, professional stance throughout the electoral cycle.
He also pledged the commission’s commitment to abiding by laws, while it continued to act impartially, transparently and professionally in the discharge of its duties.
“I call on political parties to conduct peaceful and credible primaries, to shun violence and inflammatory rhetoric and to uphold internal democracy.
“I equally appeal to candidates, supporters, and the electorate to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral cycle,’’ he said.
Amupitan, while urging all stakeholders, including citizens, to play their respective roles toward the success of the 2027 general elections, also tasked them to begin preparing for ‘this pivotal moment’.
“Let us work together to ensure that the electoral process is peaceful, inclusive and reflective of the will of the Nigerian people,’’ he said. Nigeria Revenue Service Sets N40.71trn Target for 2026
