The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the timetable and schedule of activities for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. This landmark announcement, made by INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, February 13, 2026, formally sets the electoral process in motion ahead of the polls to elect the president, members of the National Assembly, governors, and state houses of assembly.
Key Election Dates
In line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022, INEC has fixed the following dates for the main voting exercises:
Presidential and National Assembly elections: Saturday, February 20, 2027.
These polls will be held on the same day, maintaining the established sequence where federal elections precede state-level ones.
Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections: Saturday, March 6, 2027.
This is two weeks after the presidential and National Assembly votes, allowing for a staggered approach that has become standard in recent Nigerian election cycles.
Other Major Milestones in the Timetable
The released schedule includes several critical pre-election activities to guide political parties, candidates, and voters:
Continuous Voter Registration (CVR): Expected to commence in April 2026 and run through January 2027, giving eligible Nigerians ample time to register or update their details.
Party primaries and congresses: These are scheduled in the months leading up to the final candidate list publication.
Publication of final list of candidates: November 15, 2026.
Campaign period for Presidential and National Assembly elections: November 18, 2026, to February 19, 2027 (one day before voting).
Campaigns for governorship and state assembly races will follow a similar timeline adjusted to their polling date.
The full detailed timetable is available through official INEC channels and has been widely reported by major Nigerian media outlets.
The announcement comes despite ongoing delays in the passage of proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, which are still under consideration by the National Assembly. INEC has previously indicated that while some aspects of the schedule could be subject to adjustments depending on when (or if) those amendments are signed into law, the commission proceeded with finalizing and releasing the timetable to provide clarity and allow adequate preparation time.
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Public reactions on social media and in initial reports have been mixed. Some stakeholders have raised concerns about the February 20 date potentially coinciding with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in 2027 (based on projected lunar calendar estimates), which could affect voter turnout, logistics, and security in certain regions. Others have welcomed the early release as a sign of preparedness, urging political parties to begin internal processes without delay.
INEC has emphasized its commitment to transparent, credible, and inclusive elections. The commission has also cautioned against misinformation, noting earlier in the week that no timetable had been released prior to this official announcement.
As Nigeria approaches another pivotal general election cycle, all eyes will be on how parties, candidates, civil society, and security agencies align with this framework. The 2027 polls will determine the successor to President Bola Tinubu and shape the political landscape for the coming years. Further updates, including any potential revisions, are expected from INEC in due course.
