INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, officially released the timetable at a news conference at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to the schedule, the presidential and National Assembly elections will be held on February 20, 2027, while governorship and Houses of Assembly election are slated for March 6.
The conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, is expected to commence on May 22, 2026 and end on June 20, 2026.
The submission of nomination forms by political parties via the INEC online portal for the national elections will open on July 14, 2026 and close on July 28, 2026.
For state elections, the submission period is between August 11 and August 25, 2026, with access codes are to be made available to parties at the INEC headquarters on July 13.
The commission also scheduled the publication of particulars of candidates for the presidential and national assembly elections for August 4, while those for the governorship and state assembly polls will be published on September 1.
The timetable gives August 25 as the last day for the withdrawal or replacement of candidates for national elections, and September 24 for state-level candidates.
Similarly, INEC will publish the final list of nominated candidates for the national elections on August 15 and for state polls on October 6.
While the publication of the notice of poll is set for January 21, 2027, the commission will publish the official register of voters on January 11, 2027.
Campaigns for the presidential and national assembly elections are scheduled to commence on September 23, 2026 and end on February 18, 2027.
Campaigns for the governorship and state houses of assembly elections will start on October 7, 2026 and end on March 4, 2027.
Amupitan stated that the timetable was released pursuant to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.
He explained that the Act mandates INEC to publish the notice of election not later than 360 days before the date appointed for the polls.
The chairman emphasised that the commission acted swiftly to ensure the integrity of the process and to mitigate logistical challenges that could arise from delays.
He noted that under the 1999 Constitution, the tenures of the president, vice-president, and state governors (excluding off-cycle states) will expire on May 28, 2027 while the national and state houses of assembly are expected to stand dissolved on June 8, 2027.
According to the INEC chairman, the release of the timetable is a reflection of the commission’s commitment to transparency and adherence to the rule of law.
He advised political parties to strictly follow the timelines, warning that the commission would enforce compliance.
