The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election have been finalised. However, the commission is currently withholding the official release to the public, pending the conclusion of legislative amendments by the National Assembly.
The Chairman of INEC, Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Wednesday during his first regular consultative meeting of the year with civil society organisations (CSOs) in the nation’s capital.
While the commission is empowered by Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 to issue a notice of election at least 360 days before the poll, Mr Amupitan expressed concern regarding the pace of ongoing amendments in the National Assembly.
“The commission has made its submission as required,” Mr Amupitan stated. “We seek your support in urging the National Assembly to expedite action on the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act.” He assured stakeholders that the finalised timetable fully complies with the 1999 Constitution and existing electoral laws.
Beyond the 2027 roadmap, the Chairman provided a comprehensive update on several off-cycle and bye-elections scheduled for the coming year:
FCT Area Council Elections: Slated for Saturday, 21 February 2026, the poll will involve 1,680,315 registered voters across 2,822 polling units. The contest features 570 candidates vying for 68 constituencies.
Rivers and Kano Bye-Elections: Also scheduled for 21 February 2026, the commission will conduct elections to fill vacancies in Ahoada East II and Khana II in Rivers State, as well as the Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies in Kano State.
Ekiti Governorship: Following an announcement in June 2025, the Ekiti State governorship election is set for 20 June 2026.
Mr Amupitan emphasised that a “credible register of voters remains the bedrock of free and fair elections.” Despite the register standing at over 93 million names during the 2023 cycle, INEC has identified persistent issues including duplicate registrations, non-citizen entries, and deceased voters.
In response, the commission is set to embark on a nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise. This “clean-up” is intended to expunge inaccurate records and restore public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Chairman also revealed that INEC has received 171 letters of intent from various associations seeking registration as political parties. These applications have been assessed against constitutional and regulatory requirements. Mr Amupitan noted that many failed to meet the rigorous criteria, though he confirmed that the names of successful associations would be announced shortly.
Concluding his address, the Chairman called for a “collective responsibility” among CSOs and the media to ensure a seamless electoral process that embodies the ideals of justice and inclusivity.
