INEC unveils official campaign timetable for 2027 general elections

By Johnson Arua

Abuja – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the official timetable for political campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Elections, outlining the dates for the commencement and conclusion of campaigns in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

According to the electoral umpire, campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on Tuesday, 19 August 2026, and end on Thursday, 15 January 2027, exactly 24 hours before the elections scheduled for Friday, 16 January 2027.

INEC also announced that campaigns for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will commence on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, and conclude on Friday, 5 February 2027, ahead of the polls fixed for Saturday, 6 February 2027.

The Commission explained that the timetable was drawn in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, which stipulates that political campaigns may only begin 150 days before an election and must end 24 hours before polling day.

INEC warned that political parties, candidates and their supporters must not commence campaigns before the approved dates, stressing that violations of the law could attract appropriate sanctions.

The Commission further noted that the new campaign schedule supersedes the earlier election timetable previously proposed, bringing it in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

With the release of the timetable, political parties and candidates are expected to begin public campaigns, including rallies, media advertisements, voter engagement and grassroots mobilisation, from 19 August 2026 for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, while campaigns for the Governorship and State Assembly polls will begin on 9 September 2026.

INEC urged all political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to adhere strictly to the approved timetable to ensure a peaceful, credible and lawful electoral process.