2027 Polls: INEC to Review New Electoral Act, Issue Fresh Election Timetable

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it will review the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026 and, in line with its provisions, release a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections.

The commission’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, disclosed this while responding to growing calls by political parties for a new election schedule following recent legal changes.

Oketola, who spoke in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, said the commission was committed to full compliance with the law, noting that a “revised timetable” would be issued, although he did not specify when.

He explained that the earlier timetable was prepared under existing legal frameworks before the amendment of the electoral law.

INEC had previously announced that presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on February 20, 2027, while governorship and state House of Assembly polls were fixed for March 6, 2027. However, the schedule attracted criticism from some quarters, including Muslim groups, who argued that the dates coincided with the holy month of Ramadan.

Amid the concerns, the National Assembly passed the Electoral Act 2026, which shortened the statutory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days. Under the amended Clause 28, INEC is now required to publish election notices “not later than 300 days” before polling day, a change that could allow elections to be held between late December 2026 and January 2027.

Legal experts have since argued that INEC cannot continue preparations for the 2027 polls under the 2022 Electoral Act, which has now been amended.

Revised timetable not optional — Falana

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, insisted that issuing a fresh timetable was mandatory under the law.

“There must be a new timetable in line with the new electoral act. That is the place of law,” he said.

Parties seek clarity, adequate time

Political parties have also warned that delays in releasing a revised timetable could disrupt their internal processes, including congresses and primaries.

The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, said INEC must act promptly to allow parties organise effectively.

“INEC will probably come up with a new election timetable, but there are a lot of things that still need to be looked at as they review the timetable. Everything now depends on INEC, even the issue of e-transmission of results and all that.

“For us, the most important thing is that INEC should decide as quickly as possible. We are also hoping that it will not be done in a way that they will not give us sufficient time to do all the necessary party activities, because we still have congresses to do at the local government and state levels, and we still have two national conventions to hold,” Abdullahi said.

He further urged the commission to consult political parties and other stakeholders, adding, “We are also hoping that INEC will give us enough time to prepare and carry out all our internal activities without flouting the law. Normally, INEC will invite political parties to be part of whatever decision they will take, and we are hoping that they will do that.”

Similarly, the New Nigeria Peoples Party called on INEC to move swiftly, particularly if elections are to be conducted earlier than February 2027.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Dipo Johnson, said political parties needed certainty to plan their activities.

“If INEC is considering changing the election timetable, they will have to do that as quickly as possible, especially if the election will come slightly sooner than February. People, particularly political parties, will need to know at what pace they will prepare for the election.

“This will also help political parties to prepare adequately for their internal activities because these activities must take place as quickly as possible or when due, so that we will not be rushed or made to face deadlines we are not prepared for.

“INEC must put its house in order in line with the Electoral Act as quickly as possible. The electoral commission must invite all parties and other relevant stakeholders to be actively involved in whatever decision it takes so that the new election timetable will be widely accepted by everyone,” Johnson said.

The Peoples Democratic Party also urged INEC to ensure that the revised timetable aligns fully with the Electoral Act.

A factional National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ini Ememobong, said, “What we are saying is that INEC released a timetable, now the legislature has passed the law, so they will have to ensure that their timetable aligns with the law so that everyone can prepare for the election.”

However, he expressed reservations about the commission’s credibility, adding, “INEC has not shown intentionality towards having a free and fair election. Our battle is about Section 84 and Section 60(3).”

Responding to the concerns, Oketola reiterated that the issue was already under review.

He said, “The recently released time-table by INEC was done in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 28 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022. The commission will review the new Electoral Act 2026. After this, a revised timetable should be released.”