2027 Elections: INEC Unveils Official Timetable and Schedule of Activities

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the official timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Elections, detailing key dates for voter registration, party primaries, campaigns, and the conduct of the polls.
According to the timetable, the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise is scheduled to begin in April 2026 and will continue until January 2027.

During this period, eligible Nigerians will have the opportunity to register as new voters, replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), transfer their voting locations, and update their personal information. This window also accommodates citizens who will attain the age of 18 within the period.
INEC further announced that political party primaries for all elective offices will 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, and submit the outcomes of their primaries to the Commission within one week after completion.
The submission of candidates’ lists has been fixed for October 1 to October 31, 2026. During this time, political parties are required to upload the names of their candidates and running mates through INEC’s online nomination portal. The final list of candidates will be published on November 15, 2026.
Campaign activities for the Presidential and National Assembly elections are set to commence on November 18, 2026, and will end on February 19, 2027. Campaigns for the 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, while the Governorship and State Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, March 6, 2027.
Other activities outlined in the timetable include the display of the voters’ register in October 2026, collection of PVCs from December 2026 to February 2027, training of ad-hoc election personnel within the same period, and the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials between February and March 2027.
The Commission called on political parties, stakeholders, and the electorate to strictly comply with the outlined timelines, emphasizing that adherence is essential for the successful conduct of a smooth, credible, and transparent 2027 General Elections.