By Adeyemi David
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised timetable for the 2027 General Election, bringing forward the dates for the presidential and National Assembly polls in line with the new Electoral Act, 2026.
Under the updated schedule issued on Thursday in Abuja, Presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027.
The revised timetable was signed by INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan.Also read : Osun governorship poll: INEC clears 14 political parties, PDP, Labour Party miss out
INEC had earlier fixed the national elections for Feb. 20, 2027, and state elections for March 6, 2027, pursuant to the Electoral Act, 2022.
However, the adjustment followed the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which altered key statutory timelines.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the commission reviewed and realigned its activities to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework.
“Accordingly, the Commission has resolved as follows: Presidential and National Assembly Elections will now hold on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2027.Alo read: Tinubu signs Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 Into Law: A turning point or a compromise for Nigeria’s democracy?
“Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections will now hold on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027,” Haruna said.
He disclosed that party primaries, including dispute resolution, would begin on April 23 and end on May 30, 2026, while submission of party membership registers would take place between April 1 and April 21, 2026.
According to him, nomination forms for presidential and National Assembly candidates will be submitted from June 27 to July 11, 2026, while governorship and State Assembly nomination forms will be accepted from July 18 to Aug. 8, 2026.
INEC will publish particulars of nominated national candidates on Aug. 1, 2026, and those of state candidates on Aug. 29, 2026.
The deadline for withdrawal or replacement of national candidates is Aug. 22, 2026, while the withdrawal deadline for governorship and State Assembly elections is Sept. 19, 2026.
The final list of national candidates will be published on Sept. 12, 2026, with the final list of state candidates to be released on Oct. 10, 2026.
Haruna further stated that presidential and National Assembly campaigns will commence on Aug. 19, 2026, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly campaigns will begin on Sept. 9, 2026.
“As provided by law, campaigns shall end 24 hours before election day,” he said.
He urged political parties to adhere strictly to the timetable, warning that the commission would enforce compliance.
The commission also rescheduled the Osun Governorship Election from Aug. 8 to Aug. 15, 2026, noting that some activities relating to the Ekiti and Osun governorship polls had already been conducted.
“However, the remaining activities will now be implemented strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026,” Haruna said.
He added that the revised dates were consistent with the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and described the successful conduct of the elections as a collective responsibility.
Haruna called on stakeholders to cooperate with the commission to ensure peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of Nigerians.
