The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Elections, providing a comprehensive roadmap for voter registration, political party primaries, campaigns and the conduct of presidential, national and state elections across Nigeria.
The timetable, unveiled by the Commission, places the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise between April 2026 and January 2027. INEC said the extended registration window is aimed at ensuring that all eligible Nigerians are given adequate opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
During the CVR period, citizens who have attained the age of 18 will be able to register as first-time voters, while others may replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), transfer their voting locations, or update personal details such as names and photographs. The Commission noted that the exercise will be conducted nationwide at designated centres and online platforms, in line with existing electoral guidelines.
As part of preparations for the polls, INEC fixed political party primaries for all elective positions to take place between July 1 and September 30, 2026. Political parties are expected to conduct congresses at the ward, local government, state and national levels before nominating candidates for the various offices.
The Commission directed parties to submit the results of their primaries, including details of candidates and their running mates, within one week of conclusion. It warned that failure to comply with the stipulated timelines could attract sanctions as provided by the Electoral Act.
Submission of candidates’ lists has been scheduled for October 1 to October 31, 2026. According to INEC, political parties must upload the names of their nominated candidates through the Commission’s online nomination portal. The final list of candidates for the 2027 elections will be published on November 15, 2026, allowing voters and stakeholders to scrutinise the entries ahead of campaigns.
Campaign activities for the Presidential and National Assembly elections are slated to commence on November 18, 2026, and will end on February 19, 2027, 24 hours before the presidential poll. Campaigns for Governorship and State Assembly elections will begin on December 15, 2026, and conclude on March 5, 2027.
INEC has scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, February 20, 2027. Governorship and State Assembly elections will follow two weeks later, holding on Saturday, March 6, 2027. The Commission said the staggered arrangement is in line with established electoral practice and is designed to enhance effective deployment of personnel and materials.
Other key activities captured in the timetable include the display of the voters’ register for public claims and objections in October 2026, as well as the collection of PVCs nationwide from December 2026 to February 2027. INEC also outlined plans for the recruitment and training of ad-hoc election staff within the same period.
The distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials is expected to take place between February and March 2027, ahead of the two election dates.
INEC urged political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies and the electorate to familiarise themselves with the timetable and strictly adhere to all deadlines. The Commission emphasised that compliance with the schedule is critical to achieving a peaceful, credible and transparent electoral process.
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