Nigeria’s electoral cycle has formally begun. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the official timetable for the 2027 General Elections, outlining voting dates, campaign windows, party primaries, and voter registration timelines.
The announcement sets the framework for political parties, candidates, regulators, and voters ahead of what is expected to be a high-stakes national contest.
Election Dates for 2027 General Elections
The commission confirmed a staggered two-day voting structure:
• Presidential and National Assembly Elections: Saturday, February 20, 2027
• Governorship and State Assembly Elections: Saturday, March 6, 2027
The structure mirrors previous election cycles, separating federal and state contests by two weeks.
Campaign Periods
INEC also released official campaign windows in line with the Electoral Act.
• Presidential and National Assembly Campaigns:
November 18, 2026 – February 19, 2027
• Governorship and State Assembly Campaigns:
December 15, 2026 – March 5, 2027
Campaign activities outside these windows would constitute violations under existing electoral law.
Party Primaries and Candidate Submission
Political parties are expected to conduct their internal nomination processes within the following period:
• Party Primaries: July 1 – September 30, 2026
Following primaries:
• Submission of Candidate Lists to INEC: October 1 – October 31, 2026
• Publication of Final Candidate List: November 15, 2026
These milestones are critical for compliance, particularly for parties managing coalition negotiations, substitution risks, and potential litigation.
Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)
• Continuous Voter Registration (CVR): April 2026 – January 2027
The CVR window gives new voters, relocated voters, and those seeking corrections sufficient time to update records before the polls.
Turnout and voter register integrity will likely become central themes in the run-up to 2027.
Possible Electoral Act Amendment
INEC’s timetable comes amid ongoing discussions in the National Assembly over a proposed amendment to the Electoral Act that could shift the general elections to November 2026 instead of early 2027.
However, the amendment remains pending and has not yet altered the commission’s published schedule.
If enacted, the change would significantly compress political timelines and potentially alter campaign financing strategies and governance transition periods.
Implications
The 2027 timetable clarifies:
• When parties must finalise internal alliances
• When campaign financing must intensify
• When regulatory compliance deadlines become binding
• When voter mobilisation efforts must peak
With nearly a year and a half before voting begins, political positioning, litigation risks, and coalition building are expected to accelerate.
For voters, April 2026 marks the first actionable milestone.
