2027 General Election Campaigns Begin August 19

As preparations for the 2027 general elections continue, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the official timetable for political campaigns in line with the Electoral Act 2026.

The commission announced in a public notice that campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on Tuesday, August 19, 2026, and end on Friday, January 15, 2027, 24 hours before the elections scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027.

According to the electoral umpire, the campaigns for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will begin on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, and conclude on Friday, February 5, 2027, ahead of the elections slated for Saturday, February 6, 2027

INEC stated that the timetable was drawn in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026, which provides that political campaigns shall commence no earlier than 150 days before an election and must end at least 24 hours before polling.

According to Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 (formerly Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022), the law states that “For this Act, the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours before that day.”

On the other hand, the immediately succeeding subsection, Section 98(2), provides:

“A registered political party which, through any person acting on its behalf during the 24 hours before polling day, (a) advertises on the facilities of any broadcasting undertaking or (b) procures for publication or acquiesces in the publication of an advertisement in a newspaper, for the purpose of promoting or opposing a particular candidate, commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of ₦2,000,000.”

As a result, the electoral commission reminded political parties, candidates, and their supporters that campaigns must not begin before the approved dates, warning that any breach of the law could attract sanctions as stipulated under the Electoral Act.

It noted that the newly approved timetable replaces the earlier election schedule previously issued by the commission and now serves as the official guide for campaign activities leading to the 2027 general elections.

Although the timetable was only recently released, there have been criticisms regarding how political parties, candidates, and their supporters have been pasting banners, posters, and signposts for their campaigns. According to the stakeholders, the posting of campaign materials is in contradiction to the provisions of the Electoral Act.

However, with the public announcement, the coast has been cleared for the political parties and politicians to begin public campaigns, including rallies, media advertisements, voter outreach, town hall meetings, and grassroots mobilisation, for their respective ambitions

INEC urged all stakeholders to adhere strictly to the approved timetable and the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 to ensure a peaceful, credible, free, and fair electoral process.

The public notice released by the commission partly reads, ‘Accordingly, political parties and candidates are expected to begin public campaigns—including rallies, media advertisements, voter engagement, and grassroots mobilisation—from 19 August 2026 for the Presidential and National Assembly elections and from 9 September 2026 for the Governorship and State Assembly elections.’ ‘

All stakeholders are encouraged to comply fully with the approved timetable to ensure a peaceful, credible, and lawful electoral process.”

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