The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a comprehensive timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election, following the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026.
Under the revised schedule, Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
INEC said the adjustment aligns with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which now requires the Notice of Election to be issued not later than 300 days before polling day; a reduction from the 360 days required under the repealed law. The Commission had earlier issued the Notice of Election on February 13, 2026.
According to the timetable, political parties will submit their registers of members between April 1 and April 21, 2026, while party primaries, including the resolution of disputes, will run from April 23 to May 30, 2026.
Submission of nomination forms for Presidential and National Assembly candidates is scheduled for June 27 to July 11, 2026, while Governorship and State Assembly nominations will take place from July 18 to August 8, 2026.
The Commission will publish the personal particulars of candidates (Form EC9) on August 1, 2026, for Presidential and National Assembly elections, and August 29, 2026, for Governorship and State Assembly elections. The final list of nominated candidates will be released on September 12, 2026, and October 10, 2026, respectively.
Campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on August 19, 2026, while Governorship and State Assembly campaigns will begin on September 9, 2026. In line with the law, all campaigns must end 24 hours before election day — January 14, 2027, and February 4, 2027, respectively.
The official Register of Voters will be published on December 15, 2026, while the Notice of Poll is scheduled for December 29, 2026.
INEC also announced a shift in the Osun State Governorship Election from August 8 to Saturday, August 15, 2026, completing what the Commission describes as a comprehensive realignment of the 2027 electoral calendar.
The Commission stated that the elections are scheduled within the constitutional window of not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the current tenure of office holders.