The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that it will adjust its timetable for the 2027 general elections to reflect changes introduced in the Electoral Act 2026.
The commission said it is reviewing the new law and will publish a fresh schedule that complies with its provisions.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, confirmed that the earlier timetable was prepared under the 2022 Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution as amended.
However, with the passage of the Electoral Act 2026 by the National Assembly, the commission will now align its plans with the new legal framework.
Before the amendment, INEC had fixed the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections for March 6, 2027.
The announcement drew reactions from different groups, especially over concerns that the dates could coincide with Ramadan. Amid the debate, the National Assembly reduced the mandatory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days.
The revised law now requires INEC to publish election notices not later than 300 days before the date of the polls. Legal practitioners have said that once a new law takes effect, any timetable based on a previous law must be adjusted to avoid legal disputes.
They explained that election schedules are tied directly to the Electoral Act and must reflect any amendment made to it.
Some senior lawyers warned that failure to issue a fresh timetable could lead to court cases from political actors who may claim unfair advantage or breach of the law.
They advised the commission to act quickly to avoid uncertainty and possible pre-election litigation.
Political parties have also called on INEC to release a new timetable without delay. Officials of the All Progressives Congress said they expect the commission to act soon so that all preparations will comply with the new law.
The African Democratic Congress said it still has internal congresses and national conventions to conduct and needs enough time to complete them.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party also urged the commission to move fast, noting that parties require clarity to plan primaries and other activities. The Peoples Democratic Party asked INEC to ensure that any revised schedule fully aligns with the Electoral Act.
Meanwhile, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria cautioned against adjusting election dates solely on religious grounds.
The group said frequent changes linked to religious concerns could raise questions about the country’s secular status and create constitutional issues. It advised political leaders to respect the constitutional framework guiding elections.
INEC said the matter is under review and assured stakeholders that a revised timetable will be released after studying the Electoral Act 2026.