The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will issue a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections following changes to the country’s electoral law and growing calls from political stakeholders for clarity on the election schedule.
INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, confirmed on Sunday that the commission is reviewing the recently signed Electoral Act 2026 to ensure full compliance before publicly releasing an updated election calendar.
“We are committed to abiding by the laws of the land,” Oketola said, emphasizing that a revised timetable will reflect the requirements of the new legal framework.
The commission had earlier announced dates for key polls in the 2027 election cycle, with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for February 20, 2027, and governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections set for March 6, 2027.
However, the passage of the Electoral Act 2026 introduced significant adjustments, including a reduction in the mandatory notice period for elections from 360 to 300 days.
Legal experts and political parties argue this change alters the legal foundation on which the initial timetable was based and therefore necessitates an updated schedule.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana (SAN) has said that INEC must produce a fresh timetable aligned with the new law to avoid legal challenges. “There must be a new timetable in line with the new electoral act.
That is the place of law,” he told journalists.
The previously announced dates sparked criticism from some Muslim groups, who pointed out that the presidential poll falls within the expected period for Ramadan, which could affect voter participation in parts of the country.
At the same time, political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), have urged the electoral body to act swiftly in issuing the revised calendar, stressing that certainty is crucial for organising primaries, congresses and other internal activities ahead of the polls.
INEC said consultations with stakeholders are ongoing and that it will engage relevant actors in developing a harmonised timetable that reflects both the new legal provisions and the operational needs of the commission.
As the nation inches closer to the 2027 polls, the timing and structure of the electoral calendar remain in the spotlight, with many watching closely to see how INEC balances legal compliance, stakeholder interests and logistical realities in setting the final timetable.
