The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the much-anticipated timetable for the 2027 General Elections, setting in motion a series of critical political activities that will shape Nigeria’s next democratic transition.
According to the schedule unveiled by the electoral body, the Presidential and National Assembly Elections will hold on Saturday, February 20, 2027, while the Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections are slated for Saturday, March 6, 2027.
The timetable outlines a comprehensive framework designed to give political parties, candidates, and stakeholders ample time to prepare. Party primaries for all elective positions are scheduled to take place between July 1 and September 30, 2026. This will be followed by the submission of candidate lists to INEC from October 1 to October 31, 2026, while the final list of candidates will be published on November 15, 2026.
Campaign activities for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will officially commence on November 18, 2026, and run until February 19, 2027, a day before the polls. Meanwhile, campaigns for Governorship and State Assembly elections will begin on December 15, 2026, and end on March 5, 2027.
In preparation for the elections, Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) is expected to begin in April 2026 and continue through January 2027, providing eligible Nigerians the opportunity to register or update their voter information ahead of the polls.
However, INEC also disclosed that there is an ongoing proposal to amend the Electoral Act to shift the 2027 general elections to November 2026. The proposal, which is still pending legislative consideration, could alter the current schedule if approved.
With the release of the timetable, political activities across the country are expected to intensify as parties begin strategic consultations and mobilization ahead of what promises to be another defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
