The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially commenced key activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, marking April 23, 2026, as the start of the electoral timetable process.
According to reports, this development signals the beginning of a 38-day period allocated for political parties to conduct their primaries and select candidates for various elective positions, including the presidency, governorships, National Assembly, and state assemblies. The process will also cover the resolution of internal party disputes arising from the primaries.
Parties are required to submit their membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before holding their primaries, with a final submission deadline set for May 10, 2026.
The commission had earlier released a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, which places the presidential and governorship polls on January 16, 2027, while elections into state assemblies and governorship positions are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
The adjustments follow the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu after approval by the National Assembly.
In a statement, INEC explained that the updated legal framework necessitated a comprehensive review of its earlier electoral timetable to ensure full compliance and proper planning for the upcoming polls.
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