The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to review the Electoral Act 2026 to ensure full compliance with the law ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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This was disclosed by Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan.
Oketola said the commission would soon release a revised election timetable, although he did not give a specific date. He stressed that INEC remains committed to obeying the laws of the country.
He spoke in an interview with Sunday PUNCH while responding to calls by some political parties for a new timetable following recent legal changes.
Political Parties Demand New Schedule
Leaders of several political parties had argued that a revised timetable had become necessary after Bola Ahmed Tinubusigned the new Electoral Act into law last week.
According to them, the changes would affect timelines for party primaries and other internal preparations ahead of the polls.
Original 2027 Election Dates
INEC had earlier announced that:
- Presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on February 20, 2027
- Governorship and State House of Assembly elections would take place on March 6, 2027
However, the dates sparked criticism from some Nigerians, particularly Muslims, who said the February election could clash with the holy month of Ramadan.
Key Changes in the Electoral Act 2026
Amid the controversy, the National Assembly of Nigeria passed the Electoral Act 2026, which reduced the mandatory 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 daysbefore the election date, stating:
- The date of the election
- The location for submission of nomination papers
Legal experts say this amendment gives INEC more flexibility and allows the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections to be scheduled between late December 2026 and January 2027.
They also argue that INEC can no longer continue preparations for the 2027 elections under the 2022 Electoral Act, which has now been amended to reflect the new provisions.
