INEC to Release Revised Timetable for 2027 General Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to release a revised timetable and schedule of activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This was confirmed by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, Mr Adedayo Oketola. While he did not provide a specific date for the release, Oketola assured that the commission’s activities would be guided by the laws of the country.

Speaking with The Punch, Oketola said the confirmation followed demands by political parties and stakeholders for a new timetable.

Naija News recalls that INEC had earlier released a timetable for the 2027 elections. Under the schedule released on Friday, February 13, 2026, presidential and National Assembly elections were slated for February 20, 2027, while governorship and State Assembly elections were fixed for March 6, 2027.

Prof. Amupitan disclosed the development at a news conference in Abuja but noted that some stakeholders had called for adjustments, citing a clash with the holy month of Ramadan, which could affect citizen participation and inclusiveness.

Amid the controversy, the National Assembly last week passed the Electoral Act 2026, reducing the mandatory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days. The revised Clause 28 now states that INEC “shall, not later than 300 days before the day appointed for the holding of an election under this Act, publish a notice in each state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory — (a) stating the date of the election; and (b) appointing the place at which nomination papers are to be delivered.”

The amendment, which has been signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, is expected to give INEC greater flexibility in scheduling the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections between late December 2026 and January 2027.