By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it will unveil a new timetable for the 2027 general elections to align the schedule with the recently amended Electoral Act 2026.
The commission had earlier released a timetable fixing the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and State Governorship and Assembly elections for March 6, 2027. Those dates were announced as part of preparations for the next general elections.
However, political parties and legal commentators have called on INEC to revise the timetable after the new electoral law reduced the mandatory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days. Under the amended clause, the commission must publish official election notices within the new timeframe.
Adedayo Oketola, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, said the commission is reviewing the new law and will issue a harmonised timetable that complies with the updated legal requirements. He did not specify when the revised calendar would be released but assured stakeholders that consultations were ongoing.
Legal experts have underlined the urgency of the adjustment, stating that an election schedule not fully aligned with the new law could trigger pre-election litigation and operational uncertainty.
Political parties including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have urged INEC to act quickly on the revised calendar so they can plan internal activities like congresses and primaries without confusion.
The need for a new timetable comes amid broader debate about the election schedule, including concerns that the original dates fell within the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which some groups said could affect voter participation.
INEC’s planned review of the election calendar marks a key step toward laying a legally sound foundation for Nigeria’s 2027 polls, even as political, legal and religious stakeholders await the finalised schedule.
