Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has officially published the timetable for the 2027 General Elections, setting out critical dates for party primaries, campaigns, voter registration and the conduct of polls across the country.
Under the approved schedule, Nigerians will head to the polls to elect a new President and members of the National Assembly on Saturday, February 20, 2027. Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for March 6, 2027, exactly two weeks later.
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Key Election Dates and Political Calendar
INEC confirmed that political parties are expected to hold their primary elections between July 1 and September 30, 2026. Following the primaries, parties must submit the names of their candidates between October 1 and October 31, 2026.
The commission will publish the final list of cleared candidates on November 15, 2026.
Campaign activities for the presidential and National Assembly elections will officially begin on November 18, 2026, ending 24 hours before election day on February 19, 2027.
For governorship and state assembly races, campaigns will commence on December 15, 2026, and conclude on March 5, 2027.
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Voter Registration Timeline
As part of preparations for the 2027 polls, INEC announced that Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will open in April 2026 and close in January 2027. The registration window is designed to allow new voters, as well as those seeking transfers or data updates, to regularise their status ahead of the elections.
INEC had earlier indicated in February that it had concluded work on the election timetable, even as the proposed amendments to the Electoral Act remain under consideration at the National Assembly.
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Electoral Act Debate and Readiness
The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions over reforms to Nigeria’s electoral framework. Stakeholders have raised concerns that delays in passing amendments to the Electoral Act could affect preparations, though INEC maintains it is proceeding based on existing legal provisions.
The 2027 elections are expected to be one of Nigeria’s most closely watched political contests, shaping leadership at federal and state levels for the next four years.
For more political updates and election coverage, visit the AfriGlobal News Politics Desk:
https://afriglobalnews.com/category/politics/
For official election guidelines and voter information, see INEC’s portal:
https://www.inecnigeria.org
