By Rhoda Godwin
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the official timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Elections, outlining key dates for party primaries, campaigns, voter registration, and the conduct of the polls.
According to the timetable, Nigerians will go to the polls for the Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday, February 20, 2027. The Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled to follow two weeks later, on Saturday, March 6, 2027.
INEC also announced the official campaign periods for political parties and candidates. Campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on November 18, 2026, and end at midnight on February 19, 2027, a day before the elections. For Governorship and State Assembly elections, campaigns will run from December 15, 2026, to March 5, 2027.
As part of preparations for the polls, the commission disclosed that Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will take place nationwide from April 2026 to January 2027, allowing eligible Nigerians who are yet to register, or who wish to update their details, to do so ahead of the elections.
Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between July 1 and September 30, 2026, after which the submission of candidates’ lists to INEC will take place from October 1 to October 31, 2026. The commission will then publish the final list of candidates on November 15, 2026, in line with the Electoral Act.
INEC urged political parties, aspirants, and stakeholders to strictly adhere to the timetable to ensure a smooth and credible electoral process. The commission also called on Nigerians to participate actively, particularly by taking advantage of the voter registration window.
Meanwhile, INEC noted ongoing discussions around a proposed amendment to the Electoral Act that could shift the general elections to November 2026. However, the proposal is still under consideration and has not yet been approved.
The release of the timetable marks a major step in Nigeria’s electoral roadmap, setting the stage for early preparations toward the 2027 General Elections.
