The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the comprehensive timetable for the 2027 General Elections, outlining key activities for political parties, voters, and electoral stakeholders as Nigeria officially enters the next election cycle.
The timetable, announced on Monday, provides a detailed schedule covering voter registration, party primaries, candidate submissions, campaigns, and election dates.
According to the commission, Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will begin nationwide in April 2026 and run through January 2027. During this period, eligible Nigerians will be able to register as new voters, replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), transfer their voting locations, and update their information—particularly those turning 18 ahead of the polls.
INEC described this phase as fundamental to ensuring broad voter participation and eliminating disenfranchisement.
Political parties are expected to conduct all congresses and primaries between July 1 and September 30, 2026. Within this three-month window, parties must select flagbearers for all elective positions across ward, local government, state, and national levels.
INEC mandated that parties strictly follow their constitutions and provisions of the Electoral Act to prevent avoidable legal battles. Parties are also required to submit the outcomes of their primaries to the commission within one week.
The submission of candidate lists will take place from October 1 to October 31, 2026, using INEC’s online nomination portal. Parties must upload Form EC9 for candidates and Form EC9B for running mates within the stipulated timeframe. INEC warned that late submissions will not be entertained.
The electoral body will publish the final list of candidates on November 15, 2026. This includes confirmed contenders for the Presidential race, Governorship positions, National Assembly seats, and State Houses of Assembly. The publication marks the formal commencement of nationwide campaign activities.
Campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will officially begin on November 18, 2026, while Governorship and State Assembly campaigns will start on December 15, 2026. INEC reiterated that all campaigns must cease 24 hours before election day, in accordance with Nigerian electoral law.
INEC also announced key election dates, setting the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, February 20, 2027. Governorship and State Assembly elections will follow on Saturday, March 6, 2027. The commission noted that these dates comply with constitutional timelines tied to the expiration of current tenures.
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Additional preparatory activities include the nationwide display of voter registers in October 2026, collection of PVCs from December 2026 to February 2027, and training of ad-hoc staff across the same period. Distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials will run from February to March 2027.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, maintaining the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and a combination of electronic and manual result transmission to strengthen credibility.
With the release of the timetable, Nigeria has formally begun its countdown to the 2027 General Elections. INEC urged citizens, political parties, and institutions to prepare early, stressing that collective participation and commitment remain vital to delivering a credible, peaceful, and efficient electoral process.
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