The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the official timetable for political campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Elections, warning political parties, candidates and their supporters against commencing campaigns outside the period prescribed by law.
According to the revised election timetable issued by the commission, campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on Tuesday, August 19, 2026, and end on January 15, 2027, exactly 24 hours before the elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.
For the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, political campaigns will begin on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, and close on Friday, February 5, 2027, ahead of the elections fixed for February 6, 2027.INEC said the timetable is in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which stipulates that electioneering campaigns may only commence 150 days before polling day and must end 24 hours before the election.
The commission warned that no political party, candidate or supporter is permitted to embark on campaigns before the approved dates.
“Political campaigns may only commence 150 days before the date of an election, while all campaigns must end 24 hours before polling day,” the commission stated in the timetable.
INEC added that any violation of the approved campaign schedule could attract sanctions in accordance with the Electoral Act.
The electoral body explained that the revised timetable supersedes the earlier election schedule issued before the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026 and aligns the electoral calendar with the provisions of the new law.
With the release of the timetable, political parties are expected to commence public campaigns, including rallies, media advertisements, town hall meetings and grassroots mobilisation, from August 19 for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly elections will begin on September 9.
INEC urged all political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to strictly comply with the approved timetable to ensure a peaceful, credible and lawful electoral process.
The commission also reiterated its commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections, urging stakeholders to respect the electoral guidelines and avoid actions capable of undermining the integrity of the 2027 General Elections.
