The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has officially fixed February 20, 2027 for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections and March 6, 2027 for Governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan announced the dates on Friday in Abuja while formally releasing the Notice of Election and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Elections.
Amupitan says the decision was taken in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which require the Commission to publish the notice of election not later than 360 days before the polls.
The long awaited schedule for the 2027 general elections has been announced by the INEC Chairman, to kickstart the electioneering process amid delays to the amendment of the Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly.
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Professor Amupitan says the elections will cover the offices of President and Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors (except in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun), as well as the National Assembly.
He also spoke on the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act at the National Assembly, saying INEC is watching developments closely but would continue to operate within the existing legal framework.
The electoral umpire also says that some items in the schedule of activities could be impacted by the time the lawmakers pass the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and the President signs it into law.
The INEC Chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to deploying technology, updating the voters’ register, working with security agencies to ensure peaceful polls, and expanding voter education.
Calling for peaceful conduct of polls next year, the INEC Chairman urged political parties to shun violence and uphold internal democracy, stressing that the success of the general election remains a collective responsibility.
(Editors: Terverr Tyav and Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
