The Independent National Electoral Commission has released a revised timetable and schedule of activities for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, shifting key poll dates earlier following the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026.

INEC previously scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, February 20, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for Saturday, March 6, 2027.

The original schedule was rejected by some Muslim stakeholders, who argued that the dates coincided with the Ramadan period.

This prompted the Senate to amend Clause 28 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, reducing the mandatory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days, thereby enabling INEC to change the dates.

The revised timetable, published by INEC via its X handle on Thursday and signed by its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, now puts the Presidential & National Assembly elections on January 16, 2027, and the Governorship & State Houses of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027.

Other preparatory activities for the elections are scheduled to start as early as 1st April 2026.

The full revised timetable and schedule is as follows:

S/N

Activity

Date

1

Notice of Election

13th February 2026

2

Submission of Political Parties’ Register of Members to the Commission

Commencement: 1st April 2026

End: 21st April 2026

3

Conduct of Party Primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from the process

Commencement: 23rd April 2026

End: 30th May 2026

4

Submission of Forms EC9 and EC9A, 9B, 9C, 9D & 9E online (Nomination Portal)

Presidential & National Assembly: 9:00 AM, 27th June 2026 – 6:00 PM, 11th July 2026

Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: 9:00 AM, 18th July 2026 – 6:00 PM, 8th August, 2026

5

Publication of Personal Particulars of Candidates (EC9) by the Commission

Presidential & National Assembly: 14th August 2026

Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: 20th August 2026

6

Commencement of Campaign by Political Parties in public

Presidential & National Assembly: 19th August 2026

Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: 9th September 2026

7

Last day for withdrawal by candidate(s)/replacement of withdrawn candidate(s) by Political Parties

Presidential & National Assembly: 22nd August 2026

Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: 19th September 2026

8

Last day for submission of Nomination Forms (EC13A, 13B, 13C, 13D & 13E) by Political Parties

Presidential & National Assembly: 29th August 2026

Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: 26th September 2026

9

Publication of final list of nominated candidates by the Commission

Presidential & National Assembly: 12th September 2026

Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: 10th October 2026

10

Last day for submission of names of Polling Agents to the Electoral Officer of the Local Government Area by Political Parties

Presidential & National Assembly: 10th December 2026

Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: 6th January 2027

11

Publication of the official Register of Voters by the Commission

15th December 2026

12

Publication of Notice of Poll by the Commission

29th December 2026

13

Last day for campaigns by Political Parties

Presidential & National Assembly: 14th January 2027

Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: Febraury 4th, 2027

14

Date of Election

Presidential & National Assembly: 16th January 2027

Governorship & State Houses of Assembly: 6th February 2027 (PUNCH)

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