What You Need to Know
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria has released the official schedule for the 2027 general elections. Key dates include presidential and national assembly elections on February 20, 2027, and state governor elections on March 6, 2027. The timeline aims to guide political parties and voters in their preparations.
Africa. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria has issued the official timeline for the 2027 general elections, outlining key dates for party primaries, voter registration, campaign activities, and voting procedures.
According to the schedule, Nigerians will head to the polls for the presidential and national assembly elections on Saturday, February 20, 2027, while state governor and state assembly elections will take place on Saturday, March 6, 2027.
The commission noted that this timeline officially marks the beginning of preparations for the upcoming electoral cycle, providing political parties, candidates, and voters with a clear roadmap ahead of the elections.
Additionally, the INEC announced that campaign activities for the presidential and national assembly elections will commence on November 18, 2026, and conclude at midnight on February 19, 2027, just one day before the election day.
Campaign activities for the governor and state assembly positions are scheduled to run from December 15, 2026, to March 5, 2027. The commission reminded political parties and candidates of the necessity to adhere strictly to the approved timelines, warning that early or late campaign launches would be considered violations of electoral regulations.
Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between July 1 and September 30, 2026, to select their candidates for all elective positions. The INEC will receive lists of candidates from October 1 to October 31, 2026, after which the final list of candidates will be published on November 15, 2026. The commission emphasized that only candidates whose names are submitted on time will be eligible to contest.
As part of efforts to expand voter participation, the INEC confirmed that continuous voter registration will take place nationwide from April 2026 to January 2027.
This period will allow eligible Nigerian citizens who have not yet registered, as well as those wishing to transfer or update their information, to do so before the elections.
Nigeria’s electoral process has evolved significantly since the return to democracy in 1999. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was established to oversee free and fair elections, ensuring transparency and accountability. The upcoming 2027 elections are crucial as they will determine the country’s leadership and governance direction, amidst ongoing challenges such as security and economic stability.
