The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Elections.
The new plan sets out key dates for party primaries, nomination of candidates, campaigns and the conduct of the polls.
According to the timetable, political parties will conduct their primaries between 23 April and 30 May 2026 to nominate candidates for the elections.
This early window is meant to give parties enough time to resolve internal disputes and prepare for the main election cycle.
The commission fixed 27 June to 11 July 2026 for the submission of nomination forms for presidential and National Assembly candidates.
Governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates are to submit their forms between 18 July and 8 August 2026 through the INEC nomination portal.
INEC said campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on 19 August 2026 and end on 14 January 2027.
Campaigns for governorship and State Assembly elections will run from 9 September 2026 to 4 February 2027.
The commission also scheduled the publication of the final list of nominated candidates for 12 September 2026 for the presidential and National Assembly elections.
For governorship and State Assembly elections, the final list will be published on 10 October 2026.
Under the timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on 16 January 2027. Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for 6 February 2027.
Legal Basis, Compliance Push and What It Means
INEC said the revised timetable aligns with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. The law requires election campaigns to begin 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours before voting.
This rule is designed to create a clear campaign window and reduce last-minute violence and misinformation.
The commission urged political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to adhere strictly to the timetable and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act. The goal is to ensure a credible and orderly electoral process, with fewer disputes over dates and procedures.
The 2027 cycle comes after a series of legal and administrative changes to Nigeria’s electoral framework.
The Electoral Act 2026 introduced tighter timelines, stronger powers for INEC to manage primaries and candidate lists, and clearer sanctions for violations.
These changes followed lessons from the 2023 elections, where delays and legal challenges affected planning and public confidence.
By publishing the timetable early, INEC is signalling that it wants parties to plan ahead and avoid the bottlenecks that slowed previous cycles.
The schedule also gives security agencies, civil society groups and the media a fixed roadmap for monitoring and deployment.
Key Takeaways from the Revised Timetable
Here are ten key things to know in the revised timetable.
1. Presidential Election Holds on January 16, 2027
Nigerians will elect the President and members of the National Assembly on Saturday, January 16, 2027. This date anchors the first major poll in the sequence and determines the timeline for all related activities.
2. Governorship Elections Scheduled for February 6
Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2027. Holding these polls after the presidential and National Assembly elections is intended to reduce logistical pressure on INEC and security agencies.
3. Party Primaries Begin in April 2026
Political parties are to conduct their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026, including resolving disputes arising from the exercise. This early window is meant to give parties time to settle internal conflicts before candidate nominations begin.
4. Nomination of Candidates Starts in June
Submission of nomination forms for presidential and National Assembly candidates will run from June 27 to July 11, 2026. Governorship and state assembly nominations will be accepted from July 18 to August 8, 2026, through the INEC nomination portal.
5. Campaigns Begin in August and September
Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on August 19, 2026. Governorship and state assembly campaigns will begin on September 9, 2026. The staggered start is aligned with the different election dates.
6. Final Candidate Lists to Be Published in September and October
INEC will publish the final list of candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections on September 12, 2026. The governorship and state assembly lists will be released on October 10, 2026. These lists will show who is officially contesting after all screenings and objections.
7. Deadline Set for Candidate Withdrawal
Political parties have until August 22, 2026, to withdraw or replace presidential and National Assembly candidates. The deadline for governorship candidates is September 19, 2026. This allows parties to adjust their tickets before the final lists are published.
8. Campaigns Must End 24 Hours Before Polls
Campaigns for the presidential election will end on January 14, 2027. Governorship campaigns will close on February 4, 2027. This follows the Electoral Act rule that campaigning must stop 24 hours before voting begins.
9. Voters’ Register and Poll Notice to Be Published Before Elections
INEC will publish the official Register of Voters on December 15, 2026. The Notice of Poll will follow on December 29, 2026. These documents tell voters where and when to cast their ballots and confirm the final polling arrangements.
10. Timetable Aligns with the Electoral Act 2026
The commission said the revised timetable complies with the Electoral Act 2026. The law requires campaigns to begin 150 days before an election and end 24 hours before polling day. All other electoral activities must also meet statutory deadlines.
