The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled the official timetable for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, specifying key dates for voting, party primaries, campaigns, and voter registration.
The announcement comes amid concerns over the delayed approval of the amended Electoral Act currently under consideration by the National Assembly. INEC had earlier stated on February 4 that it had finalized the election timetable despite the legislative delay.
Under the schedule, the Presidential and National Assembly elections are set for Saturday, February 20, 2027, while Governorship and State Assembly elections will take place Saturday, March 6, 2027.
Campaign periods are also defined: Presidential and National Assembly campaigns run from November 18, 2026, to February 19, 2027, and Governorship and State Assembly campaigns span December 15, 2026, to March 5, 2027, ending 24 hours before election day.
For voter preparation, Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will start in April 2026 and end in January 2027, allowing eligible Nigerians sufficient time to register or update their information.
Political parties are expected to hold primaries between July 1 and September 30, 2026, submitting candidate lists to INEC from October 1 to October 31, 2026. The commission will publish the final list of candidates on November 15, 2026.
