NigeriaPolls · 2027 Election Hub
2027 Election Calendar: Key Dates, Deadlines & Milestones
The complete 2027 Nigerian election timeline. Party primaries, campaigns, voter registration deadlines, and election day — all in one place.
Election Day
January 16, 2027
Countdown
91 days
Nigeria's 2027 general elections follow a tightly regulated timetable set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Understanding this calendar is essential for voters, candidates, party officials, civil society observers, and the media. Missing a registration window or a campaign deadline can have significant consequences for participation and compliance.
This page compiles every confirmed and projected date for the 2027 electoral cycle, from Continuous Voter Registration through Election Day and beyond. All dates are sourced from INEC publications, Electoral Act 2026 provisions, and NigeriaPolls editorial research. Election dates reflect the revised INEC timetable — previously 20 February and 6 March 2027 under the repealed Electoral Act 2022. Bookmark this page and subscribe to our alerts — we update it in real time as INEC announces changes.
Full Timeline
2027 Election Dates at a Glance
Scroll through the chronological timeline below to see every major milestone from voter registration to the final governorship elections.
April 2026 – January 2027
Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)
INEC opens Continuous Voter Registration to allow new eligible voters — those who turned 18, relocated, or were previously unregistered — to enroll. Existing voters can also update their details. The exercise is conducted at INEC state and local government offices. Bring a valid ID (national passport, driver's license, or NIN slip).
July 1 – September 30, 2026
Party Primaries & Congresses
Political parties hold ward, local government, and state congresses to elect delegates, followed by primaries to select candidates for presidential, governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and state assembly positions. The Electoral Act 2026 mandates direct or indirect primaries, with results submitted to INEC within specified deadlines.
Concluded September 2026
Submission of Candidates to INEC
Parties submitted their candidate lists, including affidavits, running mate nominations, and financial disclosures, ahead of the September 2026 deadline. 18 of 22 registered parties nominated 36 presidential and vice-presidential candidates, and 21 parties nominated 936 governorship/deputy-governorship and 9,692 State Assembly candidates.
September 12 & October 10, 2026
Final List of Candidates Published
INEC published the National Assembly final list on September 12, 2026, and published the governorship and State Assembly final list on October 10, 2026. This is the definitive list that appears on the ballot.
October 9 – 15, 2026
Display of Voters' Register (Claims & Objections)
INEC displays the preliminary register of voters for public scrutiny at Registration Areas and LGA offices, in line with Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026. Registered voters can verify their names, photographs, biometrics, and polling units, and file claims or objections over omissions, errors, underage, deceased, non-citizen, or duplicate registrations. The final voters' register is presented to political parties on December 15, 2026.
October 9, 2026
Nationwide PVC Collection Begins
INEC begins nationwide collection of newly issued Permanent Voters' Cards alongside the register display, at Registration Areas from 9am to 3pm through October 15, 2026. Collection at Local Government Area offices commences on October 16, 2026.
August 19, 2026
Presidential & National Assembly Campaigns Begin
The official campaign period for presidential, senatorial, and House of Representatives candidates began on August 19, 2026. Parties and candidates can broadcast advertisements, hold rallies, and distribute campaign materials nationwide. Campaign spending limits apply.
September 9, 2026
Governorship & State Assembly Campaigns Begin
The official campaign period for governorship and State Assembly candidates began on September 9, 2026 and runs through February 5, 2027.
January 15, 2027
End of Campaigns (Presidential & National Assembly)
All campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections must cease by midnight, 24 hours before election day. This 'election silence' period allows voters to reflect without last-minute pressure.
January 16, 2027
Presidential & National Assembly Elections
Nigerians vote for President, 109 Senators, and 360 members of the House of Representatives. Polls open at 8:30 AM and close at 2:30 PM (or when all queued voters have voted). Results are collated at polling units, ward collation centers, LGA collation centers, state collation centers, and finally at the national collation center in Abuja.
January 16 – January 23, 2027
Presidential Election Results & Declarations
INEC announces presidential results progressively. The winner must secure both a majority of votes cast and at least 25% of votes in two-thirds of the states and the FCT. If no candidate meets this threshold, a runoff is held within 21 days.
February 5, 2027
Governorship & State Assembly Campaigns End
Campaign silence begins for state-level elections.
February 6, 2027
Governorship & State Assembly Elections
Elections for the 36 state governors and members of the 36 State Houses of Assembly. These elections often determine the political direction of Nigeria's most populous states and are critical for federal-state relations.
February 6 – February 13, 2027
State Election Results & Declarations
Results for governorship and state assembly races are announced. Winners are sworn in on May 29, 2027.
May 29, 2027
Inauguration Day
The newly elected President, Vice President, Governors, and Deputy Governors are sworn into office.
Add These Dates to Your Calendar
Never miss a deadline. Download our election calendar file or add key dates directly to your Google Calendar, Outlook, or Apple Calendar.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exact date of the 2027 Nigerian presidential election?
The presidential election is scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027.
When do party primaries for the 2027 elections begin?
Party primaries are scheduled to run from July 1 to September 30, 2026.
When will INEC publish the final list of candidates?
INEC published the National Assembly final list on September 12, 2026, and published the governorship and State Assembly final list on October 10, 2026.
What is the deadline for voter registration before the 2027 election?
Continuous Voter Registration runs from April 2026 through January 2027. INEC typically closes registration at least 60 days before the election, so the practical deadline is expected to be in December 2026.
When can I check my details on the voters' register and collect my PVC?
INEC displays the preliminary voters' register for public scrutiny, claims, and objections from October 9 to 15, 2026, at Registration Areas and LGA offices, and begins nationwide PVC collection on October 9, 2026. Verify your name, photograph, biometrics, and polling unit during this window and report any errors.
When do campaigns officially start for the 2027 elections?
Presidential and National Assembly campaigns began on August 19, 2026. Governorship and state assembly campaigns began on September 9, 2026.
Can election dates change?
Yes, though significant changes are rare. INEC has the constitutional authority to adjust dates with proper public notice. NigeriaPolls updates this calendar immediately when changes are announced.
When are the governorship elections held in 2027?
Governorship and state assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027 — three weeks after the presidential election.
How can I get notified of changes to the election calendar?
Subscribe to NigeriaPolls email alerts at the bottom of this page. We send notifications whenever INEC adjusts dates or announces new deadlines.
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