INEC Fixes February 20, March 6, 2027 for General Elections

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has formally released the Notice of Election and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Elections.

At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the INEC Chairman said the announcement marks a major constitutional milestone and puts an end to speculation over election dates. He noted that the Commission had earlier rejected unofficial timelines circulated by individuals and groups.

INEC fixed Saturday, February 20, 2027 for the Presidential and National Assembly elections. Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, March 6, 2027.

The elections will cover the offices of President and Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors in 28 states, members of the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly. Governorship elections will not hold in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun states due to their off-cycle arrangements.

Prof. Amupitan said the Commission acted in line with the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires INEC to publish a notice of election not later than 360 days before the date of the election. He explained that the tenure of the President, Vice President, Governors, and Deputy Governors in most states will expire on May 28, 2027, while the National and State Assemblies will be dissolved on June 8, 2027. The Constitution mandates that elections must hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of tenure.

The INEC Chairman said the detailed timetable has been uploaded to the Commission’s official website and circulated to political parties and stakeholders. He directed all Resident Electoral Commissioners, including that of the FCT, to publish the notice in their respective constituencies.

He also addressed the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act at the National Assembly. According to him, while INEC supports reforms that strengthen the electoral system, the Commission must continue to operate under the existing law until any amendment is passed and assented to. He stressed that early release of the timetable allows political parties, civil society groups, and voters to prepare adequately.

Under the approved schedule, party primaries will take place within the statutory period. Political parties are to submit nomination forms within the window provided in the timetable. Campaigns will commence on the date prescribed by law and end 24 hours before election day.

Prof. Amupitan warned political parties to comply strictly with the timelines, stating that the Commission will enforce the law where necessary.

He outlined key priorities for the 2027 polls, including deeper deployment of technology to improve transparency, continuous cleaning and updating of the National Register of Voters, stronger collaboration with security agencies to ensure peaceful elections, and expanded voter education.

Reaffirming INEC’s independence, the Chairman said the Commission will remain guided solely by the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and its regulations and guidelines. He called on political parties to conduct peaceful and credible primaries, urged candidates and supporters to avoid violence and inflammatory rhetoric, and appealed to Nigerians to participate responsibly throughout the electoral cycle.

He described the success of the 2027 General Elections as a collective responsibility and assured Nigerians that the Commission is prepared to deliver credible polls that reflect the will of the people.