The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the official timetable for political campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Elections, setting August 19, 2026, as the commencement date for campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections.
According to the timetable issued by the electoral commission, campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly polls will run from Tuesday, August 19, 2026, and end on January 15, 2027, exactly 24 hours before the election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
INEC also announced that campaigns for the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will begin on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, and conclude on February 5, 2027, ahead of the elections fixed for February 6, 2027.
The commission said the campaign schedule is in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which stipulates that political campaigns may only commence 150 days before an election and must end 24 hours before polling day.
Under the guidelines, political parties, candidates and their supporters are prohibited from embarking on campaigns before the approved dates, warning that violations could attract appropriate sanctions.
INEC noted that the revised timetable replaces the earlier election schedule initially proposed by the commission and aligns fully with 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 August 19, 2026, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly polls will commence on September 9, 2026.
The commission urged all stakeholders to adhere strictly to the approved timetable to ensure a peaceful, credible, transparent and lawful electoral process.
“Political campaigns may only commence 150 days before the date of an election and must end 24 hours before polling day. Political parties, candidates and supporters are expected to comply fully with the approved timetable,” INEC stated.
