2027 general election timetable: key dates from INEC

Last checked: 29 October 2026

INEC issued a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections in February 2026, after the Electoral Act 2022 was repealed and replaced by the Electoral Act 2026. The new dates replaced the earlier plan of 20 February and 6 March 2027.

Key dates

1. Party primaries, including resolution of disputes: 23 April to 30 May 2026.
2. Submission of candidates' personal particulars: 1 August 2026 (presidential and National Assembly) and 29 August 2026 (governorship and state assembly).
3. Campaigns start: 19 August 2026 (presidential and National Assembly) and 9 September 2026 (governorship and state assembly).
4. Last day to submit nomination forms: 12 September 2026 (presidential and National Assembly) and 26 September 2026 (governorship and state assembly).
5. Presidential and National Assembly elections: Saturday, 16 January 2027.
6. Governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections: Saturday, 6 February 2027.
7. By law, campaigns end 24 hours before election day.

Questions people ask

When is the 2027 presidential election?

Saturday, 16 January 2027, together with the National Assembly elections.

When are the governorship elections?

Saturday, 6 February 2027, together with the state Houses of Assembly elections, in the states holding them.

Why were the dates changed?

INEC said it realigned the schedule to comply with the Electoral Act 2026. Reports also noted public criticism that the earlier February dates fell during Ramadan.

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