Following the signing into law of the Electoral Act 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the poll, moving the Presidential and National Assembly polls forward to January 16, 2027.

The commission, in a press release on Thursday, signed by National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, stated that new dates for key electoral activities, including the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state assembly elections, arose from the enactment of the law as a result of the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the subsequent enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which has fundamentally altered the statutory timelines governing Nigerian elections.

Recall that INEC had earlier fixed Saturday, February 20, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, and Saturday, March 6, 2027, for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections pursuant to the Electoral Act, 2022.

Concerns were raised by some Nigerians, especially Muslims, over the clash of the electoral schedule with the Ramadan period, meant for fasting for Muslims. They indicated that holding elections at the time might affect the participation of the concerned group.

The agitations drew the attention of the electoral commission. They may also have informed the National Assembly’s decision to amend some clauses of the newly assented Electoral Act 2026 in a way that will enable INEC to adjust the election timetable legally.

Speaking with respect to this, INEC maintained that “following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, the Commission has reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework,” the statement said.

Under the revised timetable, Presidential and National Assembly elections will now be held on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have been moved to Saturday, February 6, 2027.

Outlining the critical adjustments and how the activities in the lead-up to the elections would go, Mallam Kudu Haruna further explained that the conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from the primaries, will commence on April 23, 2026, and end on May 30, 2026.

He added that campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026.

This implies that the new timetable is setting an accelerated pace for political parties to engage in activities and conclude them within 24 hours before election day.

“As provided by law, campaigns shall end 24 hours before Election Day. Political parties are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these timelines. The Commission will enforce compliance with the law,” INEC warned.

The Commission added that the revised timetable reflecting the adjustments has been published on its official website and other official communication platforms.

Osun Governorship Election Rescheduled

In a related development, INEC announced the rescheduling of the Osun State governorship election.

The election, earlier fixed for Saturday, August 8, 2026, will now be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

The electoral body also noted that some activities concerning the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections had already been conducted. However, it assured that remaining activities would be implemented strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026.

INEC emphasised that the revised dates are consistent with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026.

“The successful conduct of the forthcoming elections remains a collective responsibility,” the Commission stated, calling on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.

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