INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revised the timetable for the 2027 General Election, shifting the Presidential and National Assembly polls to January 16, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections to February 6, 2027.

The electoral body said the adjustment followed the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced changes to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities.

INEC, in a statement, explained that the Commission had earlier 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.

However, with the coming into force of the new Electoral Act, 2026, the Commission reviewed and realigned its schedule to ensure compliance with the new legal framework.

Under the revised timetable, Presidential and National Assembly Elections will now hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2027.

INEC also released key milestones leading up to the polls.

According to the Commission, conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from the primaries, will commence on April 23, 2026 and end on May 30, 2026.

Campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly candidates are scheduled to begin on August 19, 2026, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026.

The Commission reminded political parties that campaigns must end 24 hours before Election Day, in line with the law.

It urged parties and stakeholders to strictly adhere to the revised timetable, warning that it would enforce full compliance with the provisions of the new Electoral Act.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the timetable and schedule for the 2027 general election.

At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, slammed earlier reports which suggested that the electoral umpire had released the timetable for the election.

Amupitan said the release of the timetable for the general election was in line with provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022, as amended.

He said that Presidential Election will hold on 20th February, 2027, while the governorship, senatorial and other elections will hold on the 6th of March, 2027.

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has submitted a proposed budget of ₦873.78 billion to conduct the 2027 general elections. The commission also requested ₦171 billion for its 2026 operations, including bye-elections and off-season polls.

INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan presented these figures to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in Abuja. The proposals comply with the Electoral Act 2022, which requires election budgets to be prepared at least one year in advance.

2027 Election Budget Breakdown (₦873.78 billion total)

Operational costs- N379.75 Billion

Administrative costs – N92.32 Billion

Technological costs – N209.21 Billion

Election capital costs – N154.91 Billion

Miscellaneous expenses – N42.61 Billion

This represents a significant increase from the ₦313.4 billion released for the 2023 general elections.

2026 Operations Budget Proposal (₦171 billion requested)

Personnel costs – N109 Billion

Overheads – N18.7 Billion

Election-related activities – N42.63 Billion

Capital expenditure – N1.4 Billion

The Ministry of Finance provided an envelope of only ₦140 billion, which INEC says is insufficient due to the need for urgent and flexible funding.