The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified the rationale behind the recently released Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election, following public concerns over the fixed election dates.
In a statement on Thursday, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the Commission developed the Timetable in strict compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and INEC’s own Guidelines and Regulations for the Conduct of Elections, 2022.
“The INEC Regulations and Guidelines, established since 2019, clearly provide that elections to the office of President and Vice President, as well as the National Assembly, shall hold on the Third Saturday of February of any General Election year, while elections to the Office of Governor, Deputy Governor, and State Houses of Assembly shall hold two weeks thereafter,” Haruna explained.
Accordingly, the Commission fixed Saturday, 20th February 2027 for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, and Saturday, 6th March 2027 for Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
Acknowledging stakeholder concerns about potential clashes with nationally recognised holidays, Haruna assured that INEC remains “sensitive to all legitimate concerns that may impact electoral participation and the overall conduct of elections.” He added that the Commission is undertaking consultations and may seek legislative intervention where necessary, while ensuring that any adjustments remain “consistent with constitutional and statutory requirements.”
Haruna concluded by reiterating INEC’s commitment to a transparent, inclusive, and credible electoral process, promising that the public will be duly informed of any further developments.
