The Independent National Electoral Commission has indicated that it will review the Electoral Act 2026 and issue a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections to align with the new legal provisions.
The Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Mr Adedayo Oketola, disclosed this in an interview, noting that the commission remains committed to complying with the law. Although he did not specify when the updated schedule would be released, he assured that the matter was receiving due attention.
INEC had earlier fixed February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state House of Assembly polls were scheduled for March 6, 2027. However, the timetable attracted criticism, particularly from some Muslim groups, who argued that the dates clashed with the Ramadan fasting period.
Amid the controversy, the National Assembly passed the Electoral Act 2026, reducing the mandatory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days. The amendment provides that INEC must publish a notice of election not later than 300 days before the poll.
The development has sparked calls from political parties and legal experts for the commission to issue a fresh timetable that reflects the amended law. Analysts say the new provision gives INEC flexibility to schedule the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections between late December 2026 and January 2027.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Femi Falana, insisted that a revised timetable was legally mandatory, stressing that once a new law comes into effect, it overrides previous frameworks. He noted that election timetables are derived directly from statutory provisions and must be adjusted accordingly to avoid legal disputes.
A constitutional lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also warned that failure to align the timetable with the new Act could trigger pre-election litigation, as political parties are highly sensitive to compliance with statutory timelines.
Similarly, a senior official of the All Progressives Congress said the party expected INEC to release a new schedule soon to ensure adherence to the Electoral Act 2026.
Political parties, including the African Democratic Congress, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, and the Peoples Democratic Party, urged the commission to act swiftly to give them adequate time to conduct primaries, congresses and national conventions.
They emphasised the need for transparency and stakeholder engagement in reviewing the timetable to ensure broad acceptance and smooth preparations ahead of the polls.
Responding, Oketola maintained that the initial timetable was issued in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, but confirmed that the commission would review the Electoral Act 2026 and subsequently release a revised schedule.
Meanwhile, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria opposed calls for shifting election dates on religious grounds, warning that such adjustments could undermine Nigeria’s secular status. Its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, argued that elections should remain civic exercises guided by constitutional provisions rather than religious considerations.
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