On Friday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) made available the election notice as well as the timetable and activities for the general elections in 2027. INEC Chairman, Prof. During a press conference held at the commission's Abuja headquarters, Joash Amupitan officially announced the schedule. The national elections—Presidential and National Assembly—are scheduled to take place on February 20, 2027, and the state elections—Governorship and State Houses of Assembly—are scheduled for March 6, 2027. The conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, is expected to commence on May 22, 2026 and end on June 20, 2026.
The deadline for political parties to submit their nomination forms for the national elections via the INEC online portal is July 28, 2026. For state elections, the submission period is between Aug. 11 and Aug. 25, 2026, with access codes to be made available to parties at the INEC headquarters on July 13.
The personal details of candidates for the presidential and national assembly elections will be released on August 4, while those for the governorship and state assembly elections will be released on September 4. 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.
In a similar vein, on August 15, INEC will release the final list of candidates who have been nominated for the national elections and the state elections. 6.
The commission will publish the official voter register on January 21, 2027, despite the fact that the publication of the notice of poll is scheduled for January 21, 2027. 11, 2027.
The presidential and national assembly elections' public campaigns are scheduled to begin on September 23, 2026, and to end in February. 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 in accordance with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and the 1999 Constitution (as amended). 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 emphasized that the commission acted quickly to protect the process's integrity and mitigate potential logistical issues 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.
The following states will hold off-cycle elections for governor: Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun. The INEC chairman asserts that the publication of the schedule demonstrates the commission's dedication to openness and legality. He advised political parties to strictly follow the timelines, warning that the commission would enforce compliance.
Regarding the Electoral Amendment Bill that is currently in the National Assembly, the chairman said that INEC was ready to implement any change that would make the system stronger. However, he also said that the current operations would still be guided by the law as it is. 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.
We are committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that our actions are guided by the established legal framework as an independent electoral body. “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 urge political parties to hold primaries in a manner that is credible and peaceful, to avoid violence and inflammatory speech, 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 also instructed them to begin preparing for "this pivotal moment" and urged all stakeholders, including citizens, to play their respective roles in ensuring the success of the general elections in 2027. “Let us work together to ensure that the electoral process is peaceful, inclusive and reflective of the will of the Nigerian people,’’ he said.
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