By Gabriel Ameh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections following recent amendments to the Electoral Act, 2026, which significantly shorten the statutory notice period for elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed that the commission must now operate with “unprecedented speed and surgical precision” to meet the new legal requirements.
Represented by National Commissioner, Mrs.
May Agbamuche-Mbu, Amupitan made this known on Monday at the opening of a three-day capacity-building workshop for National Electoral Commissioners and senior management staff in Lagos.
According to him, the amendment reduces the mandatory Notice of Election period from 360 days to 300 days, creating a more compressed electoral calendar that demands urgent preparedness from the commission.
As part of its response, INEC has released a revised schedule for the 2027 general elections. Presidential and National Assembly elections are now slated for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
Amupitan described the development as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, noting that the commission is committed to strengthening the credibility and effectiveness of the electoral process.
“We are at a critical phase where our electoral system must not only be robust in theory but also efficient in practice,” he said.
The INEC chairman emphasized that the commission’s role extends beyond conducting elections to continuously improving systems, processes, and institutional capacity to safeguard transparency and public trust.
The workshop, organised in collaboration with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Nigeria, focuses on enhancing operational efficiency, particularly in procurement and strategic planning.
He urged participants to actively engage in the sessions, share knowledge, and adopt innovative approaches to address emerging electoral challenges.
Amupitan also commended KAS for its continued technical support, describing the partnership as vital to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The event attracted National Electoral Commissioners, senior INEC officials, development partners, and key stakeholders in the electoral process.
