14th February 2026, NewsOrient, News, Politics, Governance And Development, Law And Society

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is currently consulting stakeholders to see if it can legitimately adjust the 2027 Election timetable it just released on Friday.

This situation is informed by complaints by some Muslims that the announced election timetable coincides with the period of Ramadan fasting. The concerned Muslims, including the former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said if the timetable is not adjusted, it may negatively affect participation and turn out during the elections.

Abubakar, who is also a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a post via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, said the proposed date falls “squarely within the Ramadan period (February 7 – March 8, 2027), a sacred season of fasting, reflection, and spiritual devotion for millions of Nigerian Muslims.”

He, and some other Muslims who have spoken out on the matter therefore urged the commission to “reconsider the February 20, 2027 date.”

It would be recalled that INEC had on Friday announced that the Presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on February 20, 2027, while the governorship and state assembly polls will be held on March 6, 2027.

The commission also fixed party primaries between May 22 and June 20, 2026, for the nomination of candidates.

Confirming the electoral commission’s decision to seek ways of adjusting the 2027 Election Timetable, INEC, in a statement issued on Friday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said “the timetable was developed in strict compliance with the timelines contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022.

Haruna added: “INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, in effect since 2019, fixed the dates elections are to be held. He quoted paragraph two of the regulation as stating: “Election to the office of President and Vice President, as well as National Assembly, shall hold on the third Saturday of February of any general election year, while election to the office of Governor and Deputy Governor and the State Houses of Assembly shall hold two (2) weeks thereafter.”

He said, “Accordingly, and in faithful observance of these extant legal and regulatory provisions, the Commission fixed Saturday, February 20, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections and Saturday, March 6, 2027, for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections.

“Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission has taken due notice of concerns expressed by stakeholders regarding the coincidence of the scheduled dates with certain nationally recognised holidays and observances.

“The Commission wishes to assure the public that it remains sensitive to all legitimate concerns that may impact electoral participation and the overall conduct of elections.”

In view of the developments, “the Commission is currently undertaking consultations and may, where necessary, seek appropriate legislative intervention to address the concerns raised, while ensuring that any adjustment remains consistent with constitutional and statutory requirements.

“INEC reiterates its unwavering commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and the credible conduct of the 2027 General Election. The public will be duly informed of any further developments.”

~ Published By NewsOrient Network

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