The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the timetable for Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections, announcing Saturday, February 20, 2027, as the date for the Presidential and National Assembly polls.
The announcement comes amid concerns over the delayed passage of the amended Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly. However, INEC had earlier indicated on February 4 that work on the election schedule had already been concluded.
Election Dates
According to the timetable:
- Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, February 20, 2027.
- Governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, March 6, 2027, two weeks after the federal polls.
Campaign Periods
INEC also outlined campaign windows for political parties:
- Campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly elections will run from November 18, 2026, to February 19, 2027.
- Campaigns for Governorship and State Assembly elections will commence on December 15, 2026, and end on March 5, 2027, 24 hours before the polls.
Voter Registration and Party Primaries
As part of preparations:
- Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will begin in April 2026 and close in January 2027, giving eligible Nigerians time to register or update their details.
- Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between July 1 and September 30, 2026.
- Submission of candidates’ lists to INEC will take place from October 1 to October 31, 2026.
- The final list of candidates will be published on November 15, 2026.
With the timetable now unveiled, political parties, aspirants, and stakeholders are expected to begin full-scale preparations for what promises to be another crucial electoral cycle in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
