The Independent National Electoral Commission has published the official timetable for Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections, setting out key dates for voting, party primaries, campaign periods and voter registration.
INEC released the schedule amid rising concerns over delays in passing the amended Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly. The commission had earlier, on 4 February, confirmed that it had completed work on the timetable despite the legislative delay.
Under the schedule, Nigerians will vote in the Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday, 20 February 2027. The Governorship and State House of Assembly elections will follow two weeks later, on Saturday, 6 March 2027.
INEC also announced the official campaign periods. Campaigning for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will run from 18 November 2026 to 19 February 2027. Campaigns for Governorship and State Assembly elections will begin on 15 December 2026 and end on 5 March 2027, 24 hours before polling day.
As part of preparations, the commission stated that Continuous Voter Registration will begin in April 2026 and end in January 2027, allowing eligible voters sufficient time to register or update their details.
Political parties must hold their primaries between 1 July and 30 September 2026. They are required to submit their candidates’ lists to INEC between 1 and 31 October 2026. The commission will publish the final list of candidates on 15 November 2026.