The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on February 20, 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls are scheduled for March 6, 2027.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed the timetable at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.
He said the decision was taken pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandate the commission to publish a Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the election date.
According to him, the elections will cover the offices of President and Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors — except in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun states — as well as members of the Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly.
“In exercise of the powers conferred on the commission by the Constitution and the Electoral Act, and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the Commission hereby sets in motion the electoral process for the 2027 General Elections,” he said.
Amupitan noted that a detailed timetable and schedule of activities had been uploaded to INEC’s official website and circulated to political parties and stakeholders.
He said the early announcement demonstrates the commission’s commitment to transparency, credibility and strict adherence to the law.
On concerns over delays in passing the Electoral Amendment Bill, he said the commission recognises the need for timely action to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
“While we are eager to adopt any amendments that may strengthen our electoral processes, we must act in accordance with the existing provisions of the law,” he said.
He added that, by constitutional provision, the tenure of the President, Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors — except in the listed states — will expire on May 28, 2027, while membership of the National and State Assemblies will stand dissolved on June 8, 2027.
Citing Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2) of the Constitution, Amupitan explained that elections must hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of those offices.
He said party primaries will be conducted within the statutory period, while submission of nomination forms by political parties will open and close within the designated window.
Campaigns by political parties, he added, will begin on the date specified by law and end 24 hours before Election Day.
The INEC chairman urged political parties to strictly comply with timelines for primaries, nominations and campaigns, warning that the commission would enforce the law where necessary.
He also called on government institutions, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations, candidates and the electorate to ensure peaceful and credible polls, describing the 2027 elections as a collective responsibility.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns over the delayed passage of the amended Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly.
INEC had earlier indicated that it completed work on the timetable despite the delay but cautioned that some activities may be affected depending on when the amendment bill is eventually passed.
