INEC Reschedules 2027 General Elections, Presidential Poll Set for January 16

Revised Electoral Calendar Unveiled

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria has officially released a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections. The significant update sees the Presidential and National Assembly elections now slated for Saturday, January 16, 2027. This marks an earlier date than initially planned, reflecting adjustments necessitated by recent legislative changes.

The announcement, made on Thursday, February 26, 2026, by Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, also confirmed that the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will follow on Saturday, February 6, 2027.

Reasons Behind the Shift

The primary catalyst for the revised schedule is the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the subsequent enactment of the Electoral Act 2026. This new legal framework introduced adjustments to the statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, prompting INEC to review and realign its previously announced schedule.

Previously, the Presidential and National Assembly elections were scheduled for Saturday, February 20, 2027, with the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections set for Saturday, March 6, 2027. Concerns were also raised by some Muslim stakeholders that the original dates coincided with the holy month of Ramadan. The Senate's amendment of Clause 28 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which reduced the mandatory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days, further facilitated INEC's ability to adjust the dates.

Key Dates in the New Timetable

The revised timetable outlines several crucial activities leading up to the general elections:

• Conduct of Party Primaries (including resolution of disputes): Commencement on April 23, 2026, and conclusion on May 30, 2026.
• Presidential and National Assembly Campaigns: To commence on August 19, 2026.
• Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Campaigns: To commence on September 9, 2026.

INEC emphasized that all campaigns must conclude 24 hours before Election Day, a provision that the commission intends to strictly enforce.

Impact on Off-Cycle Elections

The adjustments to the general election calendar have also impacted other scheduled polls. Notably, the Osun State Governorship Election, which was initially slated for August 8, 2026, has been rescheduled to Saturday, August 15, 2026. The commission stated that preparations for ongoing off-cycle elections, including those in Ekiti and Osun, will proceed in strict accordance with the Electoral Act 2026.