INEC Releases Timetable for 2027 General Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a comprehensive timetable for the 2027 General Elections, outlining key activities and deadlines for political parties, voters, and other electoral stakeholders.
According to the timetable released in November 2025, preparations for the all-important general elections will begin in earnest with the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise nationwide from April 2026 to January 2027. During this period, eligible Nigerians will be able to register as new voters, replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), transfer their voting locations, and update personal information. INEC noted that the exercise is particularly important for young Nigerians who will attain the age of 18 before the elections.
The timetable shows that political parties are expected to conduct their congresses and primaries between July 1 and September 30, 2026. Within this three-month window, parties intending to participate in the elections must select candidates for all elective positions at the ward, local government, state, and national levels.
INEC stressed that all parties must strictly adhere to their constitutions and the provisions of the Electoral Act during the primaries to avoid unnecessary legal disputes. Parties are also required to submit the results of their primaries to the commission within one week of conclusion.
Submission of candidates’ lists will take place from October 1 to October 31, 2026, through INEC’s online nomination portal. Political parties are to upload Form EC9 for candidates and Form EC9B for running mates within the stipulated period. The commission warned that late submissions will not be accepted.
INEC will publish the final list of candidates on November 15, 2026. The list will feature candidates for the Presidential and Governorship elections, as well as those contesting National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly seats. The publication will signal the official commencement of nationwide campaign activities.
Campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled to begin on November 18, 2026, while campaigns for Governorship and State Assembly elections will commence on December 15, 2026. INEC reiterated that all campaigns must end at least 24 hours before election day, in line with electoral laws.
The commission fixed Saturday, February 20, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, while Governorship and State Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, March 6, 2027. INEC explained that the dates align with constitutional provisions governing the expiration of current tenures.
Other preparatory activities include the nationwide display of the voter register in October 2026, collection of PVCs from December 2026 to February 2027, and the training of ad-hoc staff within the same period. Distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials is expected to run from February to March 2027.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting credible elections, stating that it will continue the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) alongside a combination of electronic and manual transmission of results to enhance transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.
