BREAKING: INEC fixes January 16, 2027, for presidential election
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The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed January 16, 2027, as the new date for the presidential and national assembly elections.
The commission also fixed February 6, 2027, as the new date for… pic.twitter.com/3qp7QeKM8M
INEC has rescheduled the 2027 general elections, fixing January 16, 2027, for presidential and national assembly polls and February 6, 2027, for governorship and state assembly elections following the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced new dates for the 2027 general elections, with presidential and national assembly elections now slated for Saturday, January 16, 2027, and governorship and state houses of assembly polls scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027. Mohammed Haruna, national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, disclosed the revised timetable in a statement issued on Thursday.
The electoral body had earlier fixed February 20, 2027, for the presidential and national assembly elections and March 6, 2027, for the governorship and state assembly polls. However, the commission reviewed the schedule following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities. Haruna said the commission realigned the earlier timetable to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework.
“Accordingly, the Commission has resolved as follows: Presidential and National Assembly Elections will now hold on Saturday, 16th January 2027, Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections will now hold on Saturday, 6th February 2027,” the statement reads. He added that party primaries, including the resolution of disputes, will run from April 23 to May 30, 2026, while presidential and national assembly campaigns will commence on August 19, 2026, and governorship and state assembly campaigns on September 9, 2026. “As provided by law, campaigns shall end 24 hours before Election Day. Political parties are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these timelines. The Commission will enforce compliance with the law,” he said, noting that the revised timetable is available on the commission’s official website and communication platforms.
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