The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan on Friday released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Elections.
According to the timetable, the presidential and national assembly elections will hold on February 20, 2027.
Speaking at a high-level briefing with political leaders, civil society groups, and the media in Abuja, Amupitan characterised the announcement as a “milestone” in the nation’s democratic evolution and a fulfilment of constitutional mandates.
The Commission also scheduled the governorship and state houses of assembly elections for 6 March 2027.
Governorship elections will take place in all states except Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun, where off-cycle elections are held.
Amupitan underscored that the release of this notice, coming exactly 360 days before the first ballot, is in strict adherence to Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
The Chairman also used the platform to debunk recent “unofficial” schedules that had been circulating online.
He warned that such misinformation was orchestrated by “detractors” and reaffirmed that only INEC possesses the constitutional authority to fix election dates.
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As the Commission prepares for the 2027 electoral cycle, Amupitan highlighted four critical pillars of focus.
He emphasised the enhanced deployment of technology to ensure transparency in election results.
He stressed the importance of maintaining voter register integrity through continuous cleaning and updating of the National Register of Voters.
He called for deeper collaboration with security agencies to guarantee peaceful polling across the country.
Amupitan noted that the Commission was closely monitoring proposed amendments to the Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly, but reiterated that it would continue to operate under existing laws until any changes were formally enacted.
The Chairman issued a stern warning to political actors ahead of the upcoming electoral windows.
He stated that party primaries must be conducted within the statutory period, with full respect for internal democracy.
Campaigns, he emphasised, must conclude exactly 24 hours before election day.
He also urged parties to avoid inflammatory language and to prioritise peaceful engagement throughout the electoral process.
“The Commission is fully prepared and determined to deliver elections that reflect the sovereign will of the people,” Amupitan declared, calling the 2027 polls a “collective national responsibility.”
