Abuja: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised timetable for the 2027 General Election, moving the presidential and National Assembly polls to an earlier date.
Under the new schedule, these elections will now take place earlier than originally planned: Presidential and National Assembly polls are set for Saturday, Jan. 16, 2027.
Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027. The revised timetable, issued on Thursday in Abuja, was signed by INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan. Previously, INEC set national elections for Feb. 20, 2027, and state polls for March 6, 2027.
The earlier dates were announced in February in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2022.
Malam Mohammed Haruna said the adjustment followed the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026. Haruna, National Commissioner and Information Committee Chairman, explained that the new Electoral Act, 2026, brought significant changes to the statutory timelines that INEC must observe.
He said INEC adjusted its activities to fully comply with the new law.
“Accordingly, the Commission has resolved as follows: Presidential and National Assembly Elections will now be held on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2027.
The same applies to Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, which follow the revised schedule.
Party primaries and dispute resolution will run from April 23 to May 30, 2026. Party membership registers must be submitted between April 1 and April 21, 2026.
Submit nomination forms for presidential and National Assembly candidates from June 27 to July 11, 2026.
Submit Governorship and State Assembly nomination forms from July 18 to Aug. 8, 2026. INEC will publish the particulars of nominated national candidates on Aug. 1, 2026.
State candidates’ particulars will be published on Aug. 29, 2026.The deadline to withdraw or replace national candidates is Aug. 22, 2026.
For governorship and State Assembly elections, the withdrawal deadline is Sept. 19, 2026.The final list of national candidates will be published on Sept. 12, 2026.The final list of state candidates will be released on Oct. 10, 2026.
Presidential and National Assembly campaigns begin Aug. 19, 2026. Governorship and State Houses of Assembly campaigns start Sept. 9, 2026. By law, campaigns end 24 hours before election day.
Haruna urged parties to follow the timetable, warning that INEC will enforce compliance. The revised timetable is available on INEC’s website and other platforms.
INEC has moved the Osun Governorship Election from Aug. 8 to Aug. 15, 2026.Some activities for the Ekiti and Osun elections have already occurred.
The remaining activities will now be conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026, Haruna said.
He said the new dates comply with the 1999 Constitution, as amended. Haruna said successful elections are a collective responsibility. He called on stakeholders to cooperate to ensure peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of Nigerians.
